“Late Love” and “Fissures.” Poetry by Christina E. Petrides

Late Love

Youth had long since left off blushing
when each fell suddenly, entirely
head-over-heels for the other.
His sallow complexion
and her wrinkled face
lit up from the inside.
Neither might have been beautiful,
but shared affection unburdened them,
wreathed their faces with smiles,
and replaced featureless existence
with holiday color and festivity.
Observant untried romantics,
once over the initial shock
at this autumn miracle,
absolutely envied them.

---

Fissures

Asphalt’s winter flaws
accumulate spring’s leavings:
pollen, bruised petals.

---

Christina E. Petrides lives and works on Jeju Island, South Korea. Scores of her poems have appeared in periodicals around the world. She is the author of children’s books Blueberry Man (Tchaikovsky Family Books, 2020) and The Refrigerator Ghost (Kong, forthcoming). Her website is www.christinaepetrides.com