The Eyes’ Lament
Honorable Mention—Scholastic Art and Writing 2023
If only my eyes were my lips
because raspberry red is for painting lips, not sour eyes’ whites
And when my ducts drown in endless drips
and my brutal teeth break bitten lips
I’m sure my unrested eyes require respite
Whilst my dried-up lips given tear-drops*, would whoop in delight
If only my eyes were my lips
because somehow it’s easier to divulge a drool-sodden pillow
than salty, crackling tracks on cheeks
And maybe then my silenced irises might discover speech
and shout! But no—
My eyes sting and shed in silence; my trembling lower lip drops lower
If only my eyes weren’t drowned out
Then all would hear the thousand-word picture I shout
*pronunciation note: can be said as tear (as in crying) or tear (as in a rip)
This was an English assignment
The one non-essay assignment of the year is always a breath of relief for me. But this year, it was poetry. I don’t write poetry. However, this piece may have changed my mind. Although I may experiment with poetry more in the future. I generally write short stories. If you want to read another English assignment of mine, a Scholastic Art & Writing Award Honorable Mention is available, and it’s a memoir about friendship.