by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky

Monday morning air
bears the snort and grind
of garbage trucks and birdsong.
Pastel eggs, a wedge
of pie, clove-studded slices
of honeyed ham, and fruit
fill the fridge. Instead
I tear a crossbar off
the glazed and golden yeasty
loaf my sister baked
for Sunday’s paschal feast.
It melts with coffee, hot
and honest, on my tongue.

Felicia Sanzari Chernesky is a longtime editor, slowly publishing poet, and author of six picture books, including From Apple Trees to Cider, Please! and The Boy Who Said Nonsense (Albert Whitman & Company). In 2018, she moved away from the masthead to work with people who want to share their stories, ideas, and poems in print. Her poetry received a 2020 Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards honorable mention. Her short fiction was nominated for a 2021 Pushcart and Best Microfiction. She lives with her family in Flemington, New Jersey. Find her online at www.feliciachernesky.com.