My Soul
by Karen Partida
So I held it in my hands As I knelt down on one knee. I stretched my arms oh so high above my head And I shut my eyes so tight Because that was all I had That thing in my hands. It was my deepest parts and nooks The rotten books I’d written as I stared into nothing The sickly sweet lies I’d told The way I felt when I looked at you. And so my lip quivered and my will shivered My legs shook and my heart skipped and my mind froze As I pushed, higher still, that thing in my hands Because maybe once in the sky someone Anyone Would take it.
by Philip Chan
And so here I stand Hoping you take this This thing that is me That I guard so much That I’m giving away To you.
52
53