Winner

Maya Salem

COTTON HUGS

tearing through golden paper,
I unwrap the stack of socks:
striped scenes of Studio Ghibli

from my sister; socks aren’t 
just for keeping feet warm, 
shielding toes from elements.

Tuesday evening I couch
patterned feet crossed propped
on the coffee table, nighttime 

lampshade tossing shadow 
onto lined fabric, dark sliver 
appearing at the tip

of my biggest toe, a gash,
a peek of chipped pale polish
is that a             ? 

wide-eyed I hoist it up
for closer inspection to draw 
a gentle finger atop the threaded layer.

pink and gray embraces, now marred
are carefully placed at the
bottom of my sock drawer.

YOUNGEST SIBLING

A maddening pile of clothes –
her closet orphaned in front of my room,
coconut shea butter lingers in hoods
stray brown curls hibernate in dusty sweatshirts
tide & dove from that white cabinet
are honeysuckle lavender & it tastes different
when fingers fumble over strange buttons
& pluck ginger strands from zipper tracks
& the cloth is too worn–
I miss her
hand-me-downs. 

W/ U

thanks for this weekend
sorry I left in tears –

in the rear view, 
you shivered
queuing my spotify

– the happiest I’ve been
to have something worth tears