penumbra

the light is ordained
& just
a pace
in front of me, in focus

a dancer
swollen with promise,
no more jingling my keys

in my pocket, nor stressing

    my knees begging

I hold the light dearly
five letters lifting me up
      to meet clean air

i only return
for
the dark
     when I can’t see myself

she
is my muse &
I am mature enough
now
    to know
to take her counsel but
not
         fall in love with her

Andrew Monroe Rice is a writer and contemplative teacher. A graduate of Colby College and Harvard University Divinity School, Rice lives in Oklahoma City with his wife and two sons. He is a former State Senator. Rice published the novel, Ghosts of Ursino in 2020 and has written three books of poetry.