Single, Female, 27 - Alexandra McIntosh

Wind pulls at the Dogwood branches

like travel photos of influencers holding

their lover’s hand. Follow me—I think

that’s the idea? Like and subscribe. Anything

except join me, be with me. The flowers

are gone their blushing faces fell weeks ago

seduced by the breeze and rains between

spring and summer, the liminal showers,

the not-quite cold not-quite warm, the perfect

showers. The sun behind the oak tree behind

the neighbor’s house behind the Dogwood filters

prepositionally onto the porch the peeling painted-

over concrete where Grizzly lays to cool off.

What is it, to be wanted? To be pulled towards?

The porch pulls me out of bed, to sit in its shade.

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Alexandra McIntosh lives and writes in Kentucky, her favorite place in the world. She received her B.A. from Asbury University, her M.A. in English from Northern Kentucky University, and her MFA in Poetry from Miami University. Her poetry and creative nonfiction can be found in publications including The Raw Art Review, Broad River Review, and Allegory Ridge. Her first collection "Bowlfuls of Blue" is forthcoming from Assure Press Publishing later this year. You can find links to her publications and pictures of her dog on her website AlexandraMcIntosh.com.