Month: September 2024

Reclaim

/ Katrina Kaye

Katrina Kaye

begin with
a soft kiss,
the kind
you know
he likes.
linger there
let him know
there is
no hurry.
there is
no where
either
of you
need to be,
not now,
not yet.
when he
attempts
to continue
watching the
morning news,
creep up
beside him,
purr like the
insistent feline
you are,
kneed his
thighs with
long fingers,
block his view.
when he
suddenly
grabs you
and twists
your body
across his,
let him.
let him
touch.
let him
explore.
know at
this point,
you have
won.

“Reclaim” is previously published in Rabbits for Luck (2016).

Fall

/ Katrina Kaye

Katrina Kaye

It is important
to know
how to fall.

The ability to
stitch a net out
of eyelash and
torn paperback,

to catch,
to survive,
to go on,

is more vital
than perching
impassive on
mountain peak

or slumbering
in the shade
of pine tree.

It is important
to know how
fast the world
is set to change.

and yet recognize
all the ways it stays
the same.

One man’s action
is limited to the
reach of his arm.
His fall,

only a tragedy
to those who
stood by and

could not help.
Only a tragedy
to those who did
not see him

rise again.

“Fall” is previously published on Spillwords (2023)

Wall

/ Katrina Kaye

Katrina Kaye

It changed
slowly at
first,
a scratch,
a crumble,

then
chipped stone
fell. Then
rot grew
darker. Then
moss crept up
foundation.

I stood
back. I
could only
creep farther
away to
find a
safe spot,
to protect
myself

(I was
always so
pretty at
protecting
myself)

from the
impending
tumble
of all
we built.

“Wall” is previously published in Trouvaille Review (2022).