I Like to Imagine You in Seasons
Valerie Westmark


Like when you were wet with summer
and new love, content to be loud
with your intentions, to push me
to be fuller, less righteous, authentic.
You wore brazened skin, heavy
with freedom and victory.

Or the days lazy and pressed
by ordinary time. You were more muted, 
but never less steadfast or promised.
It wasn't bright colors
but soft joys, sustainable,
as an ember burning.

My favorite, though, is how
you now mix the two,
smoldering in the comfortable
rhythm, paced and even,
as the years count out. But never
losing surprise, the bronzed bones
of you coming late into the night
as you did that summer:
carefree, magnificent,
fleshed full of possibility.

About the author:
Valerie Westmark graduated from Samford University with a Bachelor's in English and a concentration in creative writing.  Her poetry has been in several publications including, Wilderness House Literary Review, The Southern Voice, The Wayfarer, Sleet Magazine, The Voices Project, Damselfly Press and Ikleftiko. She currently resides in Pensacola, FL.