Cherries

Written by Sam McDermott, 2nd-prize winner

Cherry-stained hands ferment in dammed sunlight,

As strobe falls heavy over clouded eyes and clouded

Judgments,

Pitted heart discarded, to reap flesh and taint lips.

The hungry bodies, red and purple, which hold reckless

minds and insatiable

thirsts for the sweet syrup of

The condemned.

Innocent fruits of sacred trees stolen,

and culprits fall bloody handed.

Relishing in corrupted treasure,

They lay, sinking deeper into the earth.