Jennifer Hernandez
Anniversary XX
Twenty years since
the trail forked, our hands
clasped in a death-grip.
We started down this path
high torque, bright eyes.
And now, fingers numb,
hearts throttled, we stumble
toward the silhouette
that flashes ahead in the trees,
glimpses of light-in-darkness,
darkness-in-light, a glyph
snared by nimble spines,
rigid backbones be damned.
Quell the naysayers.
I will yet sculpt the self
I want them to find.
(previously published in Wicked Banshee)
Jennifer Hernandez lives in the northwest suburbs where she teaches immigrant youth and writes poetry, flash, and creative non-fiction. She’s a member of the League of Minnesota Poets and loves to perform her writing. Favorite publications include Radical Teacher, Sleet Magazine, Talking Stick, and A Prince Tribute (Yellow Chair Press).