Breathing Color
DEREK R. SMITH
A perfect tall oak tree
Silhouetted in growing dusk
As an orange sunset
Lights the sky aflame
I focus in and breathe deep campfire air.
Beyond the river,
Under auburn leafy canopy crystal chilled
Water rushes, bubbling, dancing round the giant Gibraltars in midstream.
Deep below the flow are yellow leaves that dance
Or reflections of them, if I’m honest.
Derek R. Smith (he/him) is a public health professional, Anishinaabe two-spirit, wanderer, who finds it hard to not write poetry. He was born and raised in the Mitten, spent his youth learning from amazing elder Yoopers, graduated a Wolverine, and set out for the west coast where he delights in observing people’s reactions to his midwestern delicacies. He has recent publications in Great Lakes Review, San Pedro River Review, ¡Pa’lante!, euphony, Hearth & Coffin, Inlandia, Willawaw, Lucky Jefferson and others. He can be found on Instagram at @nerudaphile.
Find this piece on page 30 of ISSUE NO. 2.