Third Place Winner:
Christy Hill
I wrote this poem to a painting by Linda Frimer in her exhibit,
Returning home at the Sidney and Gertrude Zack Gallery.
Neighbouring Farm
After they took her family,
She escaped, alone,
Ran through night as deep as a bottomless lake,
Stumbled along forest paths and snowy fields
Pursued by executioners.
Her footprints like breadcrumbs in the snow.
Finally, she came upon a farmhouse,
Deserted and broken,
Where shadows lurked in shattered windows
And, voices swung from door hinges.
She hid in a pigpen,
Under bruised winter skies,
Peered through wooden slats,
Legs cramped with the cold,
Feet sinking into wet manure,
A rock held in her fist like a grenade.
