Honorable Mention – 2024 Beverly Hopkins Contest for High School Students

Bird Named Love

by BRIE SHELLEY-PICCININI
Ladue Horton Watkins High School

a bird named love hangs heavy
and the city is wet to the west
chirp and kick off your muddy boots
who’s gonna clean this mess?
there’s a certain place i wander
where wings stretch pier to pier
i sit with my shame when i’m lonely
i know you won’t find me here
i spun you into a dozen threads
that you never wanted to become
endless abysses i try to face
still i long to know you again, my sun