Tonight's Poet Corner: After The Longest Day

After The Longest Day
by Belinda Roddie

She powdered her nose
with a hue of dusty rose as
the strawberry moon glowed
with June honey, sweet heat
from the edges of the sky.

When she held my hand, I felt
her dance pulse against my fingers,
standing in front of the stronghold
between dusk and dawn. Standing
within the equilibrium of sunset
and sunrise, two spoonfuls of gold
doled into our salivating mouths.

This was the solstice in full
bloom, the petals heavy with
the welcome evening dew. This
was the solstice in dusty rose, pinks
and purples across the celestial

palette. This was the beginning
and end of seasons, the stain
of change like blackberries in
our fists. The bioluminescence
of our bodies on full display. This
was the empire of summer.