Kelly Grace Thomas

No Matter What Happens

It’s been a wet sleeve of a week. Taxes,

jury duty, and hope on her knees. But

somewhere waits the first marigold bites

of spring. Somewhere, a child is learning the letters

of their name. No matter what happens,

you’re still you. Still know how to a white-knuckle

a dream. Lose yourself in a coastal view. It’s winter

in California; the difference between

light and dark is thirty degrees, is how

you talk to yourself. When no one is looking,

you stand at the edge of the dock, toes over

a watery blue. Across this cold

is a mountain. Nothing between you

and your future but fog.