is, thinks Pearl by Julia Bird

‘The first time was a fluke.
Subsequently, Pearl made plans
to visit the Christmas shop
at the edge of town every
twenty-fifth of June; a day
when even if it isn’t hot, it’s light,
the day most likely the shop’s
most empty of people wanting
winter or its antimatter
to take into their homes.’

– ‘Clementine Pearl’ from is, thinks Pear