By: Darren C. Demaree

1.EMILY AS WAVES, WAVES

I got these bruises
just holding on
to Emily

as she opened
herself up
to the full moon

2. EMILY AS THE LAST PRAYER

I got fizzy water
out of a stone.
Why would I need

to talk to God
after I found Emily
where once

there was no Emily?’
I am swollen with
enough magic.

3. EMILY AS THE SYCAMORE IS STRIPPED

Every time I put my hands,
fingers forward, on her
unbearable usefulness I leave

with a plank of her beauty.
I should really stop touching her
in the fall,

but I cannot write these poems
without an actual piece
of Emily. I know how

wrong that makes this,
but I simply cannot give up
a whole season of her.