“Justly Wanting”
Now is when we love to sit before mirrors.
You in the petticoat under the snowball
trying to capture snowflakes in your matchbox
even in the pale blue glow of the street lanterns.
If the tall man takes a drink,
then we’ll have two more weeks of winter.
“King’s Cats”
Now is when we love to sit before mirrors.
You in the banana hammock under the toilet,
striking your fingers against a wet matchbox,
breaking the lanterns on the road with a 3-iron.
If the groundhog sees his shadow,
then maidens have love affairs often.
“Second Coming”
Now is when we love to sit before mirrors.
You in the opera gloves under the bulwhip
and I drop the half-empty matchbox into the puddle of milk,
lanterns flickering to life as dusk turns to dark.
If I put away the pictures,
then I will miss you.
“Snow Panda”
Now is when we love to sit before mirrors,
you in the petticoat under the table,
building toy houses from empty matchboxes,
waiting to be rescued and ravished by the Green Lantern.
If the piano is never tuned,
then he will fall over.
“Jehovah’s Hitlist”
Now is when we love to sit before mirrors,
you in the pleated skirt under the kitchen sink,
pulling matches from the matchbox and lighting the dark space
where the lantern would have been, had we not broken it.
If fairies live in flowers,
then I can pretend it never happened.
“Leather Man”
Now is when we love to sit before mirrors.
You in the leather chaps, under the jelly bean,
thumbing the matchbox in your left pocket,
thinking to light cigarettes, not lanterns.
If you go,
then who will press the crocus petals between the pages of the Bible?
Composed by Sarah Crossland, Joanna Harris, Katie Casey, Jessica Weaver, Sarah Pergolizzi, and Luke Manning
First line “Now is when we love to sit before mirrors” from C. D. Wright
