Old Mister Moon Is Ever So Shy by Lori Yamamoto

screen softly glows your picture cups evening gold same quiet hue as the hush i keep folded my phone, small pond reflects your face like shy moon I ask how you're holding the hours inside you truth leaks out slow you confessed, “i take you for granted” your words fall like a cracked sparrow we both watch it try to fly melody gift i hear you humming through wires guilt tiptoes in like socks on a creaking floor you whisper sorry into the space after beep i answer warm “no need to keep score of flaws we’ll stack days gently like sugar cubes in small tea” between our words a window cracks open wide i tell you new you’re still an unread letter sealed with starlight all i want is the paper i say “come closer we’ll trade secrets like stickers” pixels rise, fall tiny fireflies of your laugh i catch them soft in the jar of my ribcage yes, let’s explore door after door after door i’ll try, pinky swear to stay the person you see just us two spoons stirring the same quiet soup evening lingers holding the taste of maybe