Her Name Was Summer
I beg you, take the violets from the jar when you leave this time
I cannot winter this hurt that nests in my shoulder blades
I cannot ignore the shame and the tricks it teaches
I’m tired of all this blind metaphor making
and sitting at the kitchen table
holding onto this knife like it will rescue me
I beg you, when you leave this time
take it all with you so I can’t wonder where you went
Ashley Halm is a senior at SUNY Fredonia, double majoring in theater arts and English, with a minor in creative writing. Originally from Corning, New York, Ashley plans to work as a substitute teacher and pursue an MFA degree in fiction writing after graduation. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her beautiful, brilliant friends.