Measure

Expectations for the long arm
of light to cradle her—better
yet jolt her—into a wider frame

can only lead to one thing:
disillusionment
that after tonight everything begins

to shrink. Or, there’s another one: relief
that summer is poised to stretch across
the best spills and spans.

Geophagy

Watching the time drag
itself through the driest
dirt, she wants to kneel
into it and scoop 

handfuls into her gaping
mouth, wants to swallow expectations 

whole. Then spit them out.
She knows she can’t
have it both ways.