say when

when the moon was a thumbnail
and the sky was still paint
i loved you
still and blue and dark against my own palms
heavy in the safe house of my throat
i choked on all the unuttered letters.
i learned.

when the moon was a coin
and the land was still page
i loved you
static over song
lighting pop of sunshine soda
a rumble overhead
a sky cracked open
a sudden happening—
i held
everything
and then nothing.
i learned.

when the moon was a bone
and the night was still kind
i loved you
sharp edged and secret
in the smooth stone stream
jagged and graceless
eyes adjusting
not-quick-enough
to the dusk everywhere descending.
i ran before the dust could settle
i learned.

when the moon was a pearl
and the sun was
the sun
i loved you.
and love you
and stumble
and stew
and struggle
and stay
and continue to
love you.
and learn.

remember
the moon
is only a mirror
she shines
because you do.

 

corey ruzicano is a producer/writer/educator from the san francisco bay area. while pursuing her bfa at emerson college she went through the creative producing program under p. carl and david dower, and continues to write for howlwound. she has completed apprenticeships at the lark, the orchard project and the 52nd street project. she has been the creative projects manager of jeanine tesori’s studio, siena music and a broaderway, where she also teaches writing and leadership to young women. she has managed the intern program at second stage theater and fellowships and awards for new dramatists and aids in making space for writers of all kinds and created community engagement programs for rattlestick playwrights theater. she is the executive producer of words on white, an art and conversation initiative. with all her work, she seeks to empower voices and stories that encourage more empathic communities and a better understanding of one another.

 

 

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