OUROBOROS
we were given vast
colorful sheets of construction
paper & freedom
to sit outside
the classroom. I chose
the 5th grade hallway, where they kept
the snake. it peered
from behind glass, yellow
& drowsy. I didn't
blame it for its lack
of interest. the task: draw
your family tree. I sharpened
my pencil knowing
I’d make mistakes.
This poem originally appeared on SOFTBLOW. Cover photograph by Darla Mottram.