backscattering

I look myself in the mirror and fall in love
(again)
and then (other times)
I look myself in the mirror
and I don’t know how we’re the same
person

then, watching shadows off the glass
balcony 
who is that?
they could be anyone

the hydrangea blooms
are
             sour; blue
not the sweet milk china
             teacups
I grew up reading about

    I dream of floating each blossom
on the surface of a lake
             still, blue squared petals hang and
sway with the promise of
    nothing
at the end
just the sun,
             my mouth,
                          cracked reflections       move on

About the author

Elinor Serumgard (they/them) is a nonbinary writer from Issaquah, Washington. Their debut poetry chapbook Analogous Annum was published in 2025 by Bottlecap Press. Their works can also be found in Stone of Madness Press, Cicada Creative Magazine, and Bullshit Lit.

Photo by yamasa-n on Unsplash.