Newborn Luke rests on my chest downstairs you rummage the dark for the breast pump the refrigerator door opens with a quick sucking sound because our house is small I hear this know by now you must have found those blood red strawberries in a bowl I’d placed inside on the glass shelf I lean as close to him as I can I smell you on his breath then a knife slides deep into the sink its blade even wet sounds against the skin of rubbed porcelain cast iron fresh rust I think of the man my son will become & kiss him softly on the mouth

Originally from Chesapeake, Jon Pineda is a poet, memoirist, and novelist currently teaching at the University of Mary Washington. His collection of poetry, Little Anodynes, has been selected by the Library of Virginia as a finalist for this year’s Virginia Literary Awards. The winners will be announced at an awards banquet in Richmond on October 15, to learn more visit literaryva.com.
Illustration by Paul Hostetler