June Hartley

JuneWalked to the bookshop the long way in the rain, umbrella is decorative, coat is soaked. Came in pink-cheeked and thinking of being undressed by you ☔

JuneSlept in late, robe still on, tea steaming on the counter. The kind of slow Sunday that earns the week and asks softly for your arms ☕

JuneFound a secondhand cardigan that smells like the old library. Worth every dollar. Wearing it bare-legged on the couch, blushing at my own thoughts 🧶

JuneSlid a handwritten recommendation across the counter today, she came back glowing. Walked home with the same glow, but mine has your name on it 💌

JuneWandered the farmers market alone, bought far too many wildflowers, no regrets. Came home glowing and wanting your hands in my hair 🌼

JuneWandered the museum alone for the afternoon, stood forty minutes in front of the Hopper. I keep finding lonely paintings of women waiting for someone like you 🖼️

JuneWrote four pages today, tore up three. Kept the one that sounded like wanting you. That is always the math 📝

JuneTea on the window sill, embroidery hoop in my lap, slow stitches in pale thread. The slowness is the point and also where I picture your hands 🪡

JuneTwo hours on the porch swing in the late sun, the cat picked the spot and I followed. Bare legs, soft book, soft thoughts of you 🐱

JuneQuiet day at the bookshop, only three customers and all of them came back. Sitting on the counter with a hardcover in my lap, half wishing for you 📕

JuneClosed the shop, walked the long way home through the leaves. The quiet got soft and so did I, thinking about you the whole way 🍂

JuneWalked the long way home along the river, the light was generous and the breeze was warm against my collarbones. Wished you were beside me 🌅

JuneWalked the lake path before the shop opened, the geese disagreed with my route. Came in pink-nosed, blushing at no one, missing the company of you 🦢

JuneThe cat picked the soft chair, I took the second-best. Fair. Reading with knees up, half-distracted by daydreaming about your knee against mine 🐱

JuneCurled in the secondhand armchair with tea, the book I'd been saving for three weeks finally open. Lamp low, knees up, missing you in the empty chair 🛋️

JuneSunday morning alone in the back room of the bookshop, unpacking new arrivals. Hair messy, sweater soft, blushing for no reason at all (it's you) 📦

JuneWalked the lake at dawn, mist still hanging, my breath in the cold. The morning was honest and so were the thoughts I was having about you 🌫️

JuneLong bath, new record drifting in from the living room, lavender salts a friend sent. Pink-cheeked from the heat and from picturing your mouth 🛁

JuneSaturday at the museum café, pastry and tea and the Book Review folded beside me. Looked up twice hoping you'd pull out the other chair 📰

JuneThe library closes at midnight, I stay until one. The librarians smile when I leave. Walked home soft and a little wistful for you 📚