November 2016
Dianna Henning
gammonmackinnon@diannahenning.com
I live in Lassen County on six acres with my husband Kam and malamute Sakari. The trees and mountains inspire me; the solitude nourishes me. I run a workshop Thompson Peak Writers’ Workshop and have taught in prisons and schools. Work published in: The Red Rock Review, The Kentucky Review, The Main Street Rag and other magazines. Nominated for a Pushcart, Blue Fifth Review 2015. My third book Cathedral of the Hand published 2016 through Finishing Line Press. Website: www.diannahenning.com

In the When
 
 
There was a sunflower in the middle
            of the alfalfa field. Only one.
It threw its voice to us.

We were a great distance
            from it, but hope filled our pockets
as we strolled toward it.

Several petals blew off,
            fleece from the green world
caught in wind’s upsweep.

How we might have danced
that hemophilic day
had you not stepped on a rusty nail,
 
and I received a letter from the past— 
his memory stenciled on my skin,
cursive lines of longing;
 
but mostly it was voice that let him in,
            a voice so close to song it became song.
It will not leave.
 
Oh, salt my tongue with rusted nails
that I might walk
a river-path with him again.
©2016 Dianna Henning
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