Richard L. Matta
On the Edge
I imagine creek to stream to river—like unspooled thread caught on a cat’s claw. There’s a new clarity to the warning signs: flash floods and wash-aways.
Is it negligence, even a crime to stay here, tempt fate? I pour two more glasses—notes of pepper and raspberries. She returns from the car, hands full.
inflatable mattress
she shows me a side
I’ve never seen
About the Author
Richard L. Matta grew up in New York’s Hudson Valley, attended university, practiced forensic science, and now lives in San Diego. Some of his haiku, tanka and haibun are in Modern Haiku, Frogpond, Akitsu Quarterly, Bottle Rockets and Presence. His long-form poetry is found in various journals, including Gyroscope, Dewdrop, Ancients Path and Healing Muse.