IN WAIT
Holly Day

I wrap my thoughts around the egg inside me
will my body full of feathers
fluff and bubblewrap. 
 
Each step leads me to disaster. I
could trip and fall and lose it all. 
 
I wrap myself in blankets and pills
cradle my stomach in warmth
close windows against drafts and  rain
barricade the door against wolves outside.

---

FRACTURED
Holly Day

I close the lid of the make-up case
put it away. There are too many dreams
imaginary lessons of how to use lipstick and blush
to ever want to do my own face again. 
the blues and pinks in the case are only
for little girls
that will never be. 
 
I thumb through the photographs, wonder
if these days are worth remembering
if it’s better to pretend I never
posed by a crib in a maternity  dress
holding a pink teddy bear destined only  
for rummage sales and a stranger’s child. 

---

Holly Day has taught writing classes at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, since 2000. Her poetry has recently appeared in Tampa Review, SLAB, and Gargoyle, while her recently published books include Nordeast Minneapolis: A History, A Brief History of Stillwater Minnesota, and Ugly Girl.