The Rocking Chair by Anna Olteanu (17, New York)

As I sit in the lap 
of today’s expectations, 
I begin to melt 

​My limbs turn from 
flesh, blood, and bone 
to something I could’ve sucked
​through a milkshake straw on
my fifth birthday 

---

And when I emerge 
from the ooze 
I can no longer move them  

My feet, as I try to plant
them firmly on the ground,
are long crescent moons 

And I roll back and forth
from heel to toe 
to heel to toe 

My porcelain arms, now
worn American chestnut
beckon, awaiting another
restless mind to fall 
into their oscillating embrace.

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