Honorable Mention – 2023 Beverly Hopkins Contest for High School Students

Sandia

by SHANGRI-LA HOU
John Burroughs School

a full sun, blushing / melts into your
hot-pink horizon / drapes a name
over you / as a mother tucks in her child / you
and the sun / kiss / and is there nothing
in the world that isn’t fire? / Mother / your
mountains are pink and red / shadows
like watermelon seeds / giving life
when you push yourself under / your leaves
fall / turn into the earth / turn into you
once more.