Melissa Elder

Melissa Elder is a poet based in Morris Plains, NJ. She has two collections of published poetry, The Mundane and Nostalgia. Her third book of poetry, In the Quiet, will be released Fall of 2026. When she's not trying to capture a feeling through poetry, she's trying to capture it through a lens.

Getting High (POEM)

Mid-sentence

he walked

over to

the Jasmine vines

like it was

the first time

noticing

a living thing.

Callused hands

cupping,

quite affectionately,

the primrose.

Inhaling,

he absorbed

the fragrance into

his bloodstream.

Eyes rolling back

into his head,

the corners

of his mouth

growing into

a beatific smile.