Matthew E. Henry (MEH)

“…could abash the little Bird”

Hope is a thing with feathers

that’s plucked after the kill,

that had a blade thrust through its neck

and shook until was still.

and sweetest in the bush was heard

before it felt the knife,

before it pecked the pile of seed

that would cost it its life.

I’ve heard it said—in paler lands—

that this is not Its fate.

that flocks of Hope do blue the skies

and paddle placid lakes.

but in the land of deferred dreams

where hands are shaded brown,

the mother fowls do chide their chicks

to sing without a sound.

After Emily Dickinson

Matthew E. Henry (MEH) is the author of six poetry collections, most recently said the Frog to the scorpion. He is editor-in-chief of The Weight Journal and an associate editor at Rise Up Review. The 2023 winner of the Solstice Literary Magazine Stephen Dunn Prize, MEH is an educator who can be found at www.MEHPoeting.com writing about education, race, religion, and burning oppressive systems to the ground.