DS Maolalai

The Sun, Its Sharpened Shadows

oh, and to fall
against the window
frame! a shoulder and
a forehead on
the glass! and traffic
trails exhaust lines
like black ribbons
down the street. and people
step between them,
turning dancers
amongst ribbons.
stepping to some rhythm
in some horn-fed,
writhing dance. this city,
full of people, full
of leaves which tumble over
in a waltz and waltzing
step of falling
octaves, and this street,
its packed notation
moving slowly
through a song. this
afternoon, this evening,
this lively brisk
allegro. this sun,
its sharpened shadows
drawing staves
across the world.

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DS Maolalai has been nominated nine times for Best of the Net and seven times for the Pushcart Prize. He has released two collections, Love is Breaking Plates in the Garden (Encircle Press, 2016) and Sad Havoc Among the Birds (Turas Press, 2019). His third collection, Noble Rot is scheduled for release in April 2022.