Ariane Branigan (age 13)
BEARER OF THE LIGHT
Oh, bearer of the light,
Bringer of change.
Illuminate the darkest crevices,
Reveal the deepest depths.
Graceful, serene, deadly.
A gliding contradiction.
Slicing through the blackest waters,
Elegant, beautiful, lethal.
A shimmering murderer.
Oh, bearer of the light, swim on.
—from 2014 Rattle Young Poets Anthology
__________
Why do you like to write poetry?
Ariane Branigan: “I enjoy writing poetry because it’s very versatile, and open to interpretation. There are no rules, no guidelines, no limitations. It has introduced me to other writers of my age who I identify strongly with, and who have helped me become more confident in my writing.”
