December 2023
Mary Ellen Talley
metalley16@gmail.com
Bio Note: I feel fortunate that Seattle winters tend to be mild. Consequently, we have to drive up to the mountains for much of our snow fun. When we have snow, we tend to become giddy. I'm excited that my second chapbook will be published by Kelsay Press this winter!

Your First Winter Forest

I tell you names
of tree, leaf, bark, branch
wood and playground
while brother 
maneuvers a remote-control fishing boat
and sister slides
beside her doll with twin brown hair 

all the while I’m imagining
how neural fiber tracts streamline themselves
inside your ribbon-tied knit hat
smooth cheeks
wide eyes 
watching green limbs 
traipse across wind

your ears inhaling fresh scent
of syllable magic
©2023 Mary Ellen Talley
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