Beneath the Oak

Crouched beneath the live oak,
embracing arms shelter me.
Entangled fingers reach out,
each wanting to be the first to ruffle
my crown of thick raven hair.
Leaf shadows dance
the tango around my brown Nikes;
the movement growing faster,
then slowing with the
breath of a breeze.
Noon steadily approaches.
A gummi wrapper among the leaves:
Graffiti desecrating a sacred world.
My name fills my ear;
I turn and rise in answer.
A backward glance reveals leaves
waltzing to fill the place where my body had been.
Yet another layer beneath the oak.

---

Stephen Brunet, age 16
Scott, Louisiana
Acadiana High School
Teacher: Elizabeth Nehrbass