AVALANCHES

by Stellasue Lee


What I like best is hugging him,
that moment, my face buried in his neck,

my arms not meeting around him,
his warmth,

then I put breakfast dishes away, start the washer,
feed cats. I make a list,

list of things that need to be done, clean
everything, everything needs to be cleaned

everyday, and lists, I read those lists
between hugs and coffee, order,

bed made, clean bath, clothes put away
meals, gathering for meals,

lists and bills, mail brings bills
and lists of students, day lists,

night lists, look in through the blinds,
everything orderly, hugs, sleep,

new day of lists. Morning, see how light
avalanches through the tall windows?


* * * * *

Stellasue Lee was a founding editor of Rattle, a poetry journal, and is now editor Emerita. Two of her books have been entrants for the Pulitzer Prize, Firecracker Red, and Crossing the Double Yellow Line. Her latest publication is New & Selected Poems, Queen of Jacks, available on Amazon or her website: stellasuelee.com. Dr. Lee was winner of the grand prize of Poetry To Aide Humanity in 2013 by Al Falah in Malaysia. She now teaches privately. Dr. Lee received her Ph.D. from Honolulu University. She was born in the year of the dragon.