Aubade with Strawberries and Sugar | poetry by Ray Ball

Aubade with Strawberries and Sugar


Light had not yet
spilled over the horizon
when we stirred 
and reached for each other—

still more than half 
asleep. The marrow
of our bones alchemized
with ardor. We dissolved 
like sugar does. 

Later, we would 
laugh. Each of us
insisted the other was
the instigator.
Each of us demurred,
denying it. 

Later, I would laugh 
quietly to my secret, 
ripened self
as I hulled strawberries,
as I stirred a heaping spoon
of brown sugar into my oatmeal.

You returned 
to dream of bees—
coated in powdered sugar
and pollinating the world.

Beeper Peddle is a writer and healer living on the East Coast. She lives with her partner and their beloved soul puppy. Beeper writes about sorrows, lies, and deep loves. When you read her work, you will dip down into her heart and end up in all manner of body parts. Should you find yourself reflected in these words, it is merely coincidence; however, it does not surprise her you share the same heart. Find her at bethpeddle.com and @beeperpeddle on Twitter and Instagram

Ray Ball is the author of Tithe of Salt (Louisiana Literature, 2019) and Lararium (Variant Lit, 2020). Her poems and fiction have appeared in numerous journals, including descant, Glass, Orange Blossom Review, and X-R-A-Y. Ray has received nominations forthe  Pushcart and has been a Best of the Net finalist. She is an editor at Coffin Bell and at Juke Joint. You can find her on Twitter @ProfessorBall.