<div class="line">In the same way she’d told me that she’d eaten waffles</div>
<div class="line">with blueberries for breakfast,</div>
<div class="line">Deja raised her hand, said</div>
<div class="line"> </div>
<div class="line3"><span style="font-style: italic;">My birthmother died from an overdose. </span></div>
<div class="line"> </div>
<div class="line">The words, comfortable in her mouth,</div>
<div class="line">found room there.</div>
<div class="line3"> </div>
<div class="line3"><span style="font-style: italic;">I’ve always wanted a sign from her.</span></div>
<div class="line3"> </div>
<div class="line">Her eyes locked into mine.</div>
<div class="line">A shrug.</div>
<div class="line"> </div>
<div class="line3"><span style="font-style: italic;"> But last night, I had this dream:</span></div>
<div class="line"><span style="font-style: italic;">                                </span></div>
<div class="line3"><span style="font-style: italic;">I was in a boat with a woman</span></div>
<div class="line3"><span style="font-style: italic;">who I think was my mother, </span></div>
<div class="line3"><span style="font-style: italic;">her hair pulled back with a red scarf.</span></div>
<div class="line3"><span style="font-style: italic;">We were on a lake &amp; the water slapped</span></div>
<div class="line3"><span style="font-style: italic;">the side of the boat. She was paddling …</span></div>
<div class="line3"> </div>
<div class="line">Her voice trailed off.</div>
<div class="line"> </div>
<div class="line3"><span style="font-style: italic;">Every      time       I tried to talk to her,</span></div>
<div class="line"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></div>
<div class="line3"><span style="font-style: italic;">little birds would fly</span></div>
<div class="line3"><span style="font-style: italic;"> out of my mouth. </span></div>
<div class="line"> </div>
<div class="line">Her fingers fluttered</div>
<div class="line">the air above her</div>
<div class="line">&amp; she sighed.</div>
<div class="line3"> </div>
<div class="line3"><span style="font-style: italic;">I was trying to speak,</span></div>
<div class="line3"><span style="font-style: italic;">but those birds,</span></div>
<div class="line"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></div>
<div class="line3"><span style="font-style: italic;">      flew        out          </span></div>
<div class="line3"><span style="font-style: italic;">                            &amp;            away—</span></div><figure class="wp-block-audio"><audio controls src="https://admin.rattle.com/audio/RedmondClass.mp3"></audio></figure>

Fighting the Wind

Say It, Say It Anyway You Can

In English Class, Discussing Signs & Symbols

<div class="line">At the craft store, two angel wings</div>
<div class="line">reveal themselves under the sheer</div>
<div class="line">shirt of the girl in front of me.</div>
<div class="line"></div>
<div class="line">Clear indigo lines etched over both</div>
<div class="line">shoulder blades and beyond, each feather</div>
<div class="line">meticulously outlined. I remember her</div>
<div class="line"></div>
<div class="line">apple-white skin, chestnut hair, the sound</div>
<div class="line">of coins clinking and her slipping away</div>
<div class="line"></div>
<div class="line">swinging her bag of purchases:</div>
<div class="line">feathers, glitter, and glue.</div>


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January 5, 2023The Sister of IcarusMary Ellen Redmond

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January 5, 2023The Sister of IcarusMary Ellen Redmond

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In English Class, Discussing Signs & Symbols by Mary Ellen Redmond