Poetry | Autumn 2022

Unfinished, Shining

by Emiliano Montoya

the house i’ve built stands unfinished

and sunlight is my company.

waltzing in unannounced, in a white lace dress

yet the most welcome guest,

she’s warming and soft and genuine

caressing infinitely anxious hands. 

i suppose 

you don’t really know how cold you are 

until your eyes have been closed too long and 

sunlight kisses your cheek. 

and she fills the house

she shows me all the dust 

dancing behind me as i wander 

aimlessly searching for the dark where

i suppose

i feel i belong. 

but she’s everywhere i go, everywhere i hide

even when i dream

i wake with my lips burning, flames from her touch. 

so i go outside and wait

wait for clouds and rain and black birds retreating 

but i only hear sunlight whispering through leaves

reminding me it is not yet the time of year

for it to be hot in the shade. 

and although winter is fresh in my mind

a winter cold enough

to forget how beautiful the orchards are green

she makes me breathe the pollen 

pollen sweet enough to want to fall in love again.

Emiliano Montoya graduated from Chico State University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. He currently coaches the men’s soccer team at Butte College. He lives in Chico, California, with his one eyed cat, Mo, and is an avid croquet player and loves taking walks where there are magnolia trees.