The Tank

The mint-painted walls peel
And flower with Expo marker
Like fish, we flood the hallways
Schools of puny power
The tank runs out of oxygen,
And we float up for gasps of air
But gills are meant for water

Second Chances

I’ve gotten, I know,
Another thousand chances.
But on most days I breathe better,
I’m still holding on for life.
Sometimes God should give us more time.

Salad Without Dressing

Only you and I nibble on the salad.
Our sweat drips onto the napkin.
It leaves a salty trail.
The vegetables look so vibrant on the platter,
It paints over your pain.

Olivia Park is a high school student who loves storytelling. She enjoys writing poetry, short stories, and essays that explore themes of identity and the human experience. Olivia has been recognized in school literary magazines and local competitions. When not writing, she finds inspiration in art, music, and nature.