Try

Katrina Kaye

Concave and collapse your elements,
readjust the weight balanced between heels,

stand with feet planted firmly,
chin expanded toward the wind.

The sun is rising for you.

Don’t think for one moment these clouds
don’t know your name.

I told them to be expecting you.

They will bring you honeyed tea
and tie the hair from your eyes
if you let them.

Hidden in your layers of flesh and brass
beats a voice screaming sticky syrup.

Let it be heard.

If you need me,
reach with outstretched palm.
I will cross it with silver threads,

best wishes,

hard candy,

good intentions.

I told spring you would be coming,
she already knows the flecked gold in your irises,
and just how to shimmer into them.

The summer sun is eager to meet you.
Introduce yourself.

Let her lighten your hair
with tales of summer.

Soon your hands will no longer reach for me,
but I’m with you and always will be.

“Try” is previously published in September (2014).

A Short Ode to Breath

Katrina Kaye

In search of
my purpose,
I wander the house.

As though spying
on a discarded lover,
I peek the sunset
around the curtains:

the glimpse of
lavender and orange hues
reflect off the bottom
of untouched clouds.

I forget what I am looking for.

Instead of continuing
a search, I sit still and
enjoy a deep breath,
precious and deliberate,

unlike so many
I take for granted.

“A Short Ode to Breath” is previously published in New Croton Review (2025).

Crone

Katrina Kaye

left to
the wind
of autumn

her hair
turns
white,

grows long
unruly

pays no
mind to the
twist of
time,

the thorns
threaten
the bells
which no
longer chime

and yet
there is
still so
much music

“Crone” is previously published in Spillwords (2021).