Linera Lucas
Apparently
unpacking is necessary,
not starting crème fraîche in a glass jar,
setting bread to rise,
chopping cabbage for ginger orange coleslaw,
planting white lace kale in the red pots flanking the steps,
sending edits for a friend’s poem,
making a collage from old
(what other kind could there be) National Geographics,
pausing with the dog to direct strangers to the pond,
checking the parsley seedlings,
scrubbing the sink,
ordering copper and scarlet witch hazels—
none is sufficient.
Boxes must be opened & contents sorted,
cardboard flattened and driven to recycling
before it is a productive day.
Linera Lucas’ poetry has appeared in Clover, Elohi Gadugi, PageBoy Magazine, Museum of Northwest Art, Spillway, and other journals. She holds a BA from Reed College and an MFA from Queens University of Charlotte. Lucas has taught at Hugo House in Seattle, Washington. Visit her online at lineralucas.com.
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