Leah Hanley

Ode to the First Garden Tomato

Pass through the garden 
Red glimmer in your eye 
A plump tomato 
           sags precariously on a limpid vine 
Reach out to pat its bottom 

Swoon as it rolls into your palm instead
            claiming you 
Brush the dust from its taut skin
Bring it to your nose with a thrill 
Take your first long,  
                                  deep     breath  
           of a thousand summer memories 

stranger

When the leaves change I think 
           of that time after you died, when I saw 
           you in a stranger passing by 
           with your stride, and your smile, 
and you looked straight into my eyes 
           when he gave me your signature nod. 

 

You loved this time of year 
           when geese pass through periwinkle sky,
           and the quivering leaves await 
           their release from gnarled boughs. 
You loved the anticipation of change 
           even though you lived 
                       in fear of it.  

Letter to the Previous Owner of This Book

About Leah Hanley

Leah Hanley is currently a graduate student in the M.A. English program at the University of North Dakota.  She is an Air Force veteran, a private pilot, and a graduate teaching assistant of English Composition. In her free time she enjoys cross-stitching, cooking, puzzles, reading, traveling, and playing board games with family.