Spotlight 25-26

WEEK A

Valentine’s Poetry Competition Winners

By Anonymous

SHELL WINNER

I don’t remember The last time the hostile pull of a band-aid drew tears Melting slowly like wax from a candle, Down my nose to rest on the bow of my lips. Or the scrape of soft flesh against hard stone My hand mottled with droplets of red, Like a pomegranate. I don’t remember The times I laughed when things went wrong The smash of china or the creak of a floorboard. Now every decision seems to be weighed before me, Like Themis’ scales.

I can remember the sigh of the kettle The bounce of the stroller

The firm press of wood against my little arms, And the squish of broccoli against my gums.

Back then, I fell in love with anything. Butterflies landing on my shoulder, the colour green, or with the way My best friend’s hair swung in the breeze. Now that I’m older, we fall in love with swells, contours and lips And falling in love is reserved for people, not things. I miss the days when I was whole, happy, in love, sad, angry, disgusted, emotional But as much as I try, the memories fade And I no longer remember.