Grace won the first place prize in the 16-18 years category in our 2022 Young People’s Poetry Competition.

“Because the sunset, like survival, exists only on the verge of its own disappearing.” – Ocean Vuong

i.

You pluck gold-plated

words from the sunset

in the sky, all lies

that we watch from our bench

arms around cold,

unlovable shoulders.

We loved this town

when we were trapped together

but now the fish bowl

is growing smaller

and I don’t know what to tell you

so I just stay silent.

 

ii.

Home is the first place we run from 

they say, but I always

ran towards it

until I saw it was full of bones.

I want a plaster

for my knees, a kiss on

the forehead,

what I never had at ten.

Because grazed knees should be

more common

than a slap in the face,

but never in my case.

 

iii.

What I wouldn’t give

to walk up your stairs again,

through the fields

and the abandoned hospital

where only the

drug dealers tread.

You promised me

eight months

but time is running out

before it’s even begun.

The seasons change me 

and I let them

 

iv.

I choose this town

over you- as though

I can separate the two.

Our hometown becomes my hometown.