Signature

Theoretically, if I were to put my hand against that tree
and keep it there for years and years, the bark
would continue to grow until it enveloped my hand
send leafy tendrils along my arms and under my flesh.

But if I were to stand here for a little less time
I could pull my hand away from the tree and leave
only a handprint against its flesh, like a heart carved by lovers
slower than a knife.

Holly Day’s poetry has recently appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction, Grain, and The Tampa Review. Her newest poetry collections are In This Place, She Is Her Own (Vegetarian Alcoholic Press), A Wall to Protect Your Eyes (Pski’s Porch Publishing), Folios of Dried Flowers and Pressed Birds (Cyberwit.net), Where We Went Wrong (Clare Songbirds Publishing), Into the Cracks (Golden Antelope Press), and Cross Referencing a Book of Summer (Silver Bow Publishing), while her newest nonfiction books are Music Theory for Dummies and Tattoo FAQ.