charvermont

You’ve always called out Char, 
but all I’ve ever managed is 
the full length of your name, 
both syllables bouncing off 
my tongue before I even think 
about what I’m going to say next. 

I took the candle from my 
postage-stamp sized nightstand, 
cradling it between my hands 
and letting it guide me into 
my sister’s empty room. 

There was a better view of the stars

3:55 AM and our alarm is going off—

not one of those with an unbearable ringing 
sound, 
            but more of a slow (lapping) wave that
quietly finds its place at your side, 

Do not fret, 
for I have never seen 
Vesuvius either – 
thus far, we are 
equals. (Although 
that fantasy quickly 
crumbles apart.)

––––––

You write of Death so freely and

“I am a river,”
you say to me 
and gleefully 
run off to find
the ridges that 
will bolster you 
when the time 
comes to submit 
to Tethys and 
become your 

To feel the succulence of 
strawberries, you should 
know it only comes from 
the real kind, not the 
large, unflavored berries  
you can so easily find 
in the market. One bite