Desire

by Valerie Smith

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the sunflower aches her long neck
under duress of a blue roof’s eave

her seed draws evening’s edge thin
lines of black and white pinstripe

yearn for unity. wine poured out
burns closer to the stem’s sacrifice.

roots, unmentionable. deep seeking.
whole as the hovered sea carried in.

currents pull color in bright directions.
cool soul. cup of taken. sup of sunset

buried. twice risen. lost light searches.
what grows always reaches out for more.

Valerie Smith

Valerie A. Smith is pleased to have had “Expert of the Apricot Groves” previously published by Solstice Literary Magazine. It will appear in Smith’s debut collection of poetry, Back to Alabama, forthcoming from Sundress Publications. She has a PhD from Georgia State University and a MA from Kennesaw State University where she currently teaches English. Above all, she values spending quality time with her family.

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