by Amanda McLeod
What Can a Poet Do With a Dream Except Write Another Poem?
for Dannye Romine Powell (1941-2024)
Two brothers cavort on the patio,
ball caps on backwards, little fingers
clutch bottles of bubble juice, slippery
chartreuse with special plastic wands
that just fit into the lip. Their own lips
poise to blow magic. Iridescent shapes
rise to the sky with each breathy whisper.
Last night in a dream I was smothered by
these spheres. Everywhere, familiar faces,
each encased in a translucent orb.
And there she was, beautiful but distant.
Poetry from the funeral wishboned
in my throat. Abruptly, her bubble burst.
Patricia Joslin is a poet and essayist living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her chapbook, I’ll Buy Flowers Again Tomorrow: Poems of Loss and Healing, was published in 2023 by Charlotte Lit Press. Patricia is a former educator and now an active volunteer in the community working to address issues of food insecurity. She loves live jazz, chamber music, and solo travel. Connect with her at https://www.patriciajoslin.com/.
Amanda McLeod is an Australian creative. Her work has appeared in many places, both in print and online. Find her on socials @AmandaMWrites.