Last Day

Katrina Kaye

The clay we are molded
in will not harden. We
are not meant to last.

Even as we lay in post
coital glory, the tremble
still in my legs, the sweat
clinging to our bodies,
even now, we know
this is the end.

A moment shared, in all
its precious give and take,
touch and toss, comfort and
cross, is just a temporary
slip of the sun across sky.

Hold my body to yours, let
the sweat dry and consciousness
return to our extremities
let the sun fall on our last
day of summer. My dearest friend.

“Last Day” is previously published in Saturday’s Sirens (2020).

At the Funeral

Katrina Kaye

The fans
in the back

of the church
sound
like rain.

It would
be a good day
for rain,

but the
sun peeks
through
stained glass

revealing miles
of insolent blue.

“At the Funeral” is previously published in Chasing Rabbits (2014).

Burnt

Katrina Kaye

There was a time
when every kiss
was burnt into
the inside of my
wrist – a parade
of lovers notched
up the side of
right arm. Your name
is still scrawled
in cursive on forearm,
the tender spot
where the sun
never reaches.