I will not retain you in my arms more than the necessary,
just the moment to slow the pulses
and regain my breath.
Then I will release the embrace
you on your way
me to cultivate my orchard of flipped-out hearts.
Annika Pettini (Italy, 1990-), from the collection Luci d’Autunno 2018, translated by Slow Words, originally published (in Italian) on: https://zeldazonk22.blogspot.com/