Emily as Cold Tea

By Darren C. Demaree

You know the taste, zest

& a minor kick, the cool

pool, forgotten in the silver

microwave, lodged above

the stove ledge, where all six

salt shakers rest, empty,

spilling nothing. You know

the taste, so re-heating

would be in defiance

of a morning in the kitchen

where no lights are on

& our intent is to co-exist.

Darren C. Demaree is living in Columbus, Ohio, with his wife and children. He is the author of As We Refer To Our Bodies (2013) and Not For Art Nor Prayer (2014), both collections from 8th House Publishing House. He is the recipient of two Pushcart Prize nominations and a Best of the Net nomination.