Maine Song

By Marley Reedy

memories cut across
the dream like roots and curl around
my wrist extending from my fingers till
I can wield them like
a sword. the roots are different people and places

one is on your porch with the tall grass
lounging and the sun the calico cat and the speckled hens

I’m apologizing always for the distance
for the sword I want
to be here
in this, a black and white photo
it’s warm here

another memory roots and I’m
on my back in a lake another in
your car another with my head
on your lap this one’s not
real I’m telling your dad about
beetles and the dream begins
to fall apart

I turn and cut a root then
another trying to hold them
dearly but my sword extends
like my fingers and I cut you
without trying