“Any Younger,” by Natalie Shapero

July 27, 2026Only some of meis here on Earth.Like when I close mycoat in the car door—the rest is outside.I say this to assureyou that you’ve harmedjust part of me;the remainder can’t,from this lapis planet,be remotely reached.I say this to teach.Better luck next time.Kiss the blue gemin its bezel setting. Andbetter hurry. Happybirthday. Guesswhat you’re not getting.Natalie Shapero teaches at University of California, Irvine. She is the author of several poetry collections, including “Stay Dead.”