Lammergeier Staff
Exposure | Rosa Canales
We had mushrooms for dinner, roastedÂ
Portobello caps, constellatedÂ
Tops speckled from how the moon shines onÂ
Some more than others. Because the moonÂ
Is never fair. It lights up the skyÂ
But forgets the deepest crevices,Â
Not inside the earth, not quite, but just
At the surface, where plants strain their necksÂ
Like wavering chimneys to gulp downÂ
The light, however weak, howeverÂ
Putrid, and where mushrooms lie awakeÂ
In silence, belly like tops curved toÂ
Reflect the moon, but wishing with allÂ
Their might for it to rest on their backsÂ
And sing them to sleep, in the night,Â
With trembling hands, she shows me her
Rock collection, how, on her wheel, sheÂ
Sharpens and shines blemishes awayÂ
Until they slip through her tan, callousedÂ
Fingers. She plucks stones from the rustedÂ
Garden bucket and does not mentionÂ
Death like I knew she wouldn’t, but holds
The sleek rocks up to the light, spinningÂ
Them to show me each side, each angleÂ
Without any specks to remind usÂ
Of the garden and the hot MidwestÂ
Sun, just the surface reflecting the
Blue moon of her iris--a collection
Burnt smooth and carefully curatedÂ
For her late-night audience of one.Â
Rosa Canales is a recent graduate of Denison University, where she studied English Literature and German. She currently resides in Columbus, OH.
Twitter: @rosacan9
Instagram: @rosacan