And the winner is...
Caroline (Steph J and Shannon, please email thegoatgrrl at gmail dot com with your desired delivery address for arrival May 22-23) [for your reading pleasure/torture, here's the rascally poem. commentary/editorial suggestions encouraged.]
Caroline
She wondered if
she could fly along above
the city
lights
As a girl she
immersed herself in the pool
of silence and nearly drowned
but it never mattered
as she could hardly breathe
to begin with
She notoriously clung to
her pillow
as she dreamt of the deep
(breaths) dark and humid with
expectant (sweat)
days to come
Her adventure into wonder (land)
left her (arms)
empty, her (thighs) aching knees
groaned
for a soft resting spot
and a pleasant night (companion)
She started to
fray around
the edges years before
anyone thought to notice
(she and) her
favorite jeans
disintegrating
She could never
relinquish her birkenstocks
(the only luxury she allowed herself)
cold comfort for the snows of november
Her hands (though supple) bore
calluses and scars
from better (more productive) days
when she wore (skirts) down (to)
her knees
as was customary
Perhaps
one day she will
loosen the tangled
vines that took up
residence down her back
in the absence of
friendly
limbs
Caroline
She wondered if
she could fly along above
the city
lights
As a girl she
immersed herself in the pool
of silence and nearly drowned
but it never mattered
as she could hardly breathe
to begin with
She notoriously clung to
her pillow
as she dreamt of the deep
(breaths) dark and humid with
expectant (sweat)
days to come
Her adventure into wonder (land)
left her (arms)
empty, her (thighs) aching knees
groaned
for a soft resting spot
and a pleasant night (companion)
She started to
fray around
the edges years before
anyone thought to notice
(she and) her
favorite jeans
disintegrating
She could never
relinquish her birkenstocks
(the only luxury she allowed herself)
cold comfort for the snows of november
Her hands (though supple) bore
calluses and scars
from better (more productive) days
when she wore (skirts) down (to)
her knees
as was customary
Perhaps
one day she will
loosen the tangled
vines that took up
residence down her back
in the absence of
friendly
limbs