Crude Drawing of an Orange

Written with reference to Dorothea Lasky. 

Shawn Galligan, ‘26

I need to cool off, she says, jaw clenched and muttering curses 

So we step into late afternoon chill and hide behind a pillar 

You are very articulate, she says; I am gracious and accept this 

I’ve always secretly known that I was very articulate 

I try to sound unpretentious and humble 

I talk in new shapes and I laugh at myself 

I bite down against a little ember of self awareness 

Assured that there is always tomorrow to kindle it 

Not everyone can be a writer, I am told 

But in that stretch of meantime I find myself hoping