the fourth
Wait
i walk to the water
stare down the sky until it fades pink, red, gray tinted by city lights
skyline, rustling waves, gentle
i press the button for the crosswalk and a voice says wait
we laugh in the backyard over drinks
sit too far apart on the sofa and tap knees under the table
hugs, two rounds, in the doorway
i turn the key in the ignition and a voice says wait
we live on the internet
wish goodnight across the mountains and across the lakes
every evening, screens, smiles
the connection is blurry and the days say wait
you make coffee
bring cream to the bedroom so i can pour it myself
warm blankets, sunbeams, mugs
our voices say I love you and this is the most ridiculous thing that’s ever happened to me
Maggie Petrella (she/her) is a poet based in Buffalo, New York. She has been making noise for 25 years but is still finding her voice. Her poetry has appeared in Detritus Online, dreams walking, The Daily Drunk Mag, and Back Patio Press. She tweets @maggie_425.