Honors in Creative Writing
Helen G. Scott Prize for Writing Excellence in Creative Writing
Echo
Yesterday I balanced the frozen pizza
On its cardboard tray
Pushed the sprung door with a hip.
I didn’t expect him to look up and he didn’t.
I know my man,
How many scoops of protein he slugs
Room temperature and lumpy
From a plastic bottle. I wash the wire ball
He uses to mix and level the powder he tips in.
Today he isn’t hungry
And what good am I,
My palms empty, hanging
Over the particle board table
Already collecting dust.