Lisa Allen Ortiz

Westport, California

Clamming

After sunset their lanterns blinked
skimming the place
where the sea left a mirror
so the clammers, their lanterns
cast reverse
clammers and lanterns
in the pulled away scrim of the sea.
Myself, I'm accustomed to forest,
my house, my neighbors
all tucked in dry trees.
Here the moon swung above
(an elysian lantern)
so my heart closed its shell
with a snap.
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