by Valerie A. Smith

What has become of me
Inks like a thumb print
On my thigh. Lately,

I’ve been looking beautiful.
I know everything in glass.
Nothing sharp surprises me.

Now I wonder when or if
This joy will end. Will time or
Something else that clicks

Send me back to an old hate,
Will I remember this season
When who I am doesn’t

Match what I see? Will I
Press my hand to that same
Other hand and be glad?

Valerie A. Smith’s first book of poems, Back to Alabama, is forthcoming from Sundress Publications. She has a PhD from Georgia State University and a MA from Kennesaw State University where she currently teaches English. Her poems appear in Aunt Chloe, Weber, Spectrum, Obsidian, Dogwood, Solstice, Oyster River Pages, Wayne Literary Review and more. Above all, she values spending quality time with her family. Find her @valeriepoetry and valeriesmithwriter.com.