Darren C. Demaree is the author of seven poetry collections, most recently A Fire Without Light (2017, Nixes Mate Books). His eighth collection Two Towns Over was recently selected the winner of the Louise Bogan Award from Trio House Press, and is due out March 2018. He is the Managing Editor of the Best of the Net Anthology and Ovenbird Poetry. He is currently living in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and children.
I grew up the shadow.
I loved the wind
because it had nothing
for me but a kiss
that left no indent
on my cool skin. Spark
of the refusal to fear
all forgiveness, I met
the sun in my youth;
I did not know
it was my other half.
I grew up the shadow.
It took me a long time
to give myself up.