2 Poems

Kinder

anemic yellow roses droop

in July heat, desiccated petals 

lining soil the way I imagined 

fresh pink petals would line 

our aisle

            now I pluck weeds

            in hopes these bushes

            will survive but I wonder 

            if the kinder thing

            would be

            to leave

Occupy

Iridescent light blinds us, makes us ignore the warping on the wood floors, the delicate dance of light and shadows as sunset fades and we are moving shadows, parting words and exchanging kisses we know will not be our first nor our last

                                                                           step into this shadow home

                                                                           we occupy but cannot afford to own

Erin Jamieson (she/her)’s writing has been published in over 100 literary magazines, including two Pushcart Prize nominations. Her poetry chapbook, Fairytales, was published by Bottlecap Press and her most recent chapbook, Remnants, came out in 2024. Her debut novel (Sky of Ashes, Land of Dreams) came out November 2023.