a tinsel giggle erupted from my mouth,
consdensed air escaping a soda bottle
i never liked gritty sand in my toes
or crunchy peanut butter over white bread
never liked stray cats,
blood in their wake
like rainbow oil puddles
but i did like pre-storm skies
yellow-stained paper almost
brown at the edges
i liked when my shoulder blades spread,
making room for battered wings
flapping above the
metronome of an ocean
splash-hissing me to a rhythm
until
the stars grew tired,
my wings coated in salt
and
i said thanks
before dutiful slumber
until the day’s discolored page
was turned.
Morgan Almasy is a sophomore creative writing major at Red Bank Regional High School in New Jersey. Last year she attended the Interlochen Center for the Arts’ creative writing summer program and will be attending this upcoming summer as well. Almasy has been recognized by the national Scholastic Art and Writing competition, earning a gold key, four silver keys, and an honorable mention.