The Dream by Allison Xu (14, Maryland)

In my dream, I wander out of a jungle
with muddy feet and stiff legs. 
In front of me were two endless spans of blue
threaded together by a thin line— 
          sapphire is the sky 
          azure is the ocean. 
Clouds drift to kiss rolling waves; 
distance dissipates 
          in the openness, 
          in the enormity. ​

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In my dream, I devour the air, 
          salty like tears, 
          fresh like freedom. 
I stretch out my hands, 
          feel the clarity, 
          feel the peace. 

When I wake up in my cramped room,
I am facing the low ceiling. 
The residue of the dream becomes
dustings of frost 
on the windowpane, 
from where 
I see part of the gray sky 
hanging alone.
​