Ellie Kozlowski

MILKWEED

like chai froth
feathery light—
ethereal fleet of north-
bound monarch butterflies
sand-sent sins, tossed hair
hair maintenance salted
and often unsoftened
unsoft mountains wept thorns
leaves unfurled forlorn
restraint rains heavy, scorned
a felt hat
a ratchet
a sharp shard of green glass
often oft
stealthy in the light
of stars rested
harp sounds
mended skin
the scent of mountain rain
or mountain rain-scented detergent
of cedar forest
of waking cicadas
of prayer
of rest
of feathery forlorn light
the sand beneath you
and tens of thousands of pairs of wings

Ellie Kozlowski writes poetry and creative nonfiction. She lives in Seattle, Washington.