White is a word
that suggests reflection—
sweet as frosting
or privilege or birth.
Smoke blown across
a heavy sky, a body
outlined in chalk.
White is a way
to distinguish dark.
Small lies, the color
of bone or a machine
laid on the ground—
white noise is made
to drown another sound.
Header photograph © Cory Funk.
Susan Trofimow is a writer based in Boston, MA. Her work has appeared in LUMINA, 3Elements Literary Review, Pretty Owl Poetry and others.