19. Poetry by Kimberly Kuchar
Lily
For the first time
since the war,
he touches
his daughter’s face.
A brand new hand
on his new arm––
he can feel the softness
of her cheek,
her silky brown hair,
the warmth of hugging her.
The war is over,
with a treaty that made history
and will shape the future––
a far-reaching agreement
with most of Earth.
Now
some of the technologies
developed during war:
advanced prosthetics
with full tactile feedback,
artificial eyes,
and new power cells
can be used
simply to better lives
in peacetime.
Thanks to
extensive trade agreements,
there should be enough
food and water
to go around.
Improved water purifiers
(for both fresh and sea water)
should further ensure
that no one will go thirsty.
Regreening is underway––
vegetation is being planted
in some desserts,
and the small rainforests
are just starting to grow.
The planet is taking
a deep breath.
After everything,
at last he is home.
He will not have to kill
or bleed
for his country again.
And little girls
like his
won’t have to lose
a father or mother. . . .
“Teatime!”
He carefully raises
an antique china cup
and brings it to his lips.
His daughter smiles
and reminds him
to raise his pinky.
Home
(a scifaiku sequence)
a human girl
pokes one of his tentacles . . .
he laughs with both mouths
Space Station 7
boarding a rocket
for New Earth
cuddling
her teddy bear
cryostasis pod
space folds in
on itself
jumpgate
a purple sky
filled with strange smells
she grips her mom’s arm
Customs queue
she hears her mother tongue
from a feathered person
VR call
her cousin’s warm hug
from Old Earth
Kimberly Kuchar
When Kimberly Kuchar gets lost in the stars, poetry helps her find her way back. In 2022, she dove deeper into short-form poetry and began writing haiku sequences, haibun, and linked-verse poetry. Her work has been nominated for the Touchstone Award and the Pushcart Prize and has appeared in Frogpond, Presence, tsuri-dōrō, Prune Juice Journal, Poetry Pea, Five Fleas Itchy Poetry, horror senryu journal, Otoroshi Journal, The Pan Haiku Review, The Starlight SciFaiku Review, The Space Cadet Science Fiction Review, and other publications. Kimberly also pens other types of poetry, as well as the occasional short fiction. She lives near Austin with her husband (and son when he’s home from college) and pet cockatiel.