I Want Out of This Body | Sonya Cheney | Poetry Contest 3rd Place Winner - Winter 2025

dust particles float through the air

in a stream of light across the bedroom floor

landing like soft kisses on skin (my wretched skin)

when all else is

cavernous                                      void

and the wing beats of butterflies and birds

carry wishes into the distant sky

escape

(i do not recognize my own image)

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Sonya Cheney is an aspiring crone living in rural New Hampshire. She studied writing and literature as an undergraduate at Keene State College, and in the decade since has had her work published in online magazines as well as self publishing. She is a stay-at-home mother of one human child, a Basset hound, and a small flock of chickens.