Violets, Infinity & Other Poetry

By Michael R. Burch

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Violets 
By Michael R. Burch 

Once, only once, 
when the wind flicked your skirt 
to an indiscrete height 

and you laughed, 
abruptly demure, 
outblushing shocked violets: 

suddenly, 
I knew: 
everything had changed. 

Later, as you braided your hair 
into long bluish plaits 
the shadows empurpled 

—the dragonflies’ 
last darting feints 
dissolving mid-air— 

we watched the sun’s long glide 
into evening, 
knowing and unknowing … 

O, how the illusions of love 
await us in the commonplace 
and rare 

and haunt our small remainder of hours. 

Featured in New Lyre Summer 2023

Infinity 
By Michael R. Burch 

Have you tasted the …