by Josephine LoRe
Scientists captured the flash of light that sparks
when sperm meets egg
I knew
I walked from the bed
to the bathroom and knew
a life inside my life a spark
within my spark a
flick
pictured you
infinitesimal then the size
of a grain of flaxseed waving
blue
in summer breeze hazelnut
in shatterproof shell apricot
fuzz-covered flesh yielding
to slightest touch grapefruit
sunshine bursting
into scent bursting
bubbles inside me weeks
before movement weeks
before the first real kick as
unforgettable as
the first real
kiss
all this
before anyone
else knew you exist
The editors thank Canadian poet Josephine LoRe for responding to our request to reprint her poem, which so beautifully aligns with this edition’s theme.
Josephine LoRe has shared her poetry live on stage and in global zoom-rooms. Her pieces have been put to music, danced, and integrated into visual art. This poem is reprinted with permission from her latest book, In My Father’s House (Moonstone Press, 2024).