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Ivy grows in permafrost
[ Claire Kroening ]
You cocooned my heart in ivy,
a pull of evergreen and ebony rain.
Stillness imprinted where
I craved your hands to touch.
Another winter has come and shriveled–
like frost etching dormant roots.
Another winter giving you
the oak moon, if I could.
You held me tight, efface my tears
against the morning light; folding
paper-mache snowflakes
with a crisp mountain-rot.
Another winter has come and shriveled–
like dust collected in pliant pines.
Another winter giving you
the oak moon, if I could.
You bore grief among my bones,
flooding aurora borealis reflections
into dullness.
Claire Kroening is a writer of picturesque poetry and prose based in the upper midwest. Their work has been recognized by Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, and appeared in international literary publications including New Words Press, Wingless Dreamer, Le Canard, Young Writers Journal, and elsewhere. You can connect with them on Instagram @clairerosek and linktr.ee/clairerosek.