Kiss the Thorns 2nd Place Winner by Destiny Cheyenne Wilson Cherish the weeds. Admire the flies. Taste the bitter saltiness of the sea.
Kiss the thorns. Revel in tears. Praise the rocks that trip you.
Remember the coarse ground scraping your paper skin. Remember the sweat dribbling down your brow. Remember the pungent Earth and dirt and scrub covering your hands.
For it is in these Struggles we find triumph.
It is in these Hardships we conquer.
We are flowers. Reaching up through Brambles and leaves,
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