but then you danced

by Jeanne Lupton

writing samples

two whole hours late
just to bake banana bread
when we could have been
together
but then you danced you danced

* * *

in a dream
making love with an old flame
becoming mother
to a swarm of fireflies
he bugs me still

* * *

let her go
that lithe summer girl
it’s autumn
and she never thought
to linger

* * *

winter woods are still
but for the crunch underfoot
and that moaning
that creaking high in the trees
stop—hear how they love their life