Poetry by Ona Gritz •
Photography by Jill Burhans
 Everything You Feared
Everything you feared was happening was happening that night. The weather,
an accomplice, was perfect. A breeze
that made us roll the windows down.
I’m not giving excuses. When he
kissed me, it wasn’t the first time.
But, for the first time, it was serious.
And no, I didn’t forget you, at home,
killing silence by pointing the remote.
Once, as a child, I held a fistful
of sparklers and discovered I could
still see them if I closed my eyes.
I closed my eyes for that kiss that night,
heard the warning pop and hiss,
saw the ghosted flame.
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