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​

3/29/2021

Poetry by Olivia Williams

Picture
                     ​​Sebastian Appelt CC



An Alternative to a Battle Cry

If you asked me to tell you a story of twenty years, I would start in a tiny isolette--like a hospital bed, but for the 
impatient 
the small 
the not fully-grown. 
I learned earlier than most what it was like to be broken. 

I would tell you of two people I love more than anything, who came every single day
not to stare, like tourists looking at a tiger in the zoo,
But to hope, to summon all of their strength and squeeze each other’s hands as tightly as they could 
and eat ice cream after
in celebration, or melancholy 
that same sweet treat they’d eat in front of the television every Friday night, 
that I’d share with my friends as I graduated high school
in celebration, or melancholy. 

I would tell you of how the entire world was in those moments: 
the first time that baby breathed on her own 
or every time I make it all the way to work and back without swerving into the opposite lane
just because I can
just to see what it would feel like. 

I would tell you that the world is beautiful. 
I wouldn’t be lying, necessarily, just romanticizing,
putting all of the discord and yelling and chaos into an order, that 
same OCD that makes all of the volumes multiples of five or else the car will crash and you 
have to wash your left side then your right in the shower because, well, who knows. 
I’ve never actually messed it up. But something bad. 

There’s supposed to be a battle cry here, 
some ingredient we can pluck out of the stars that makes our veins look 
less like the drunken streets of Boston 
and more like the strict grids of New York City, 
something to avoid the tangled words that always sit in my throat, right below my voice box, right where I can’t reach them.

There’s supposed to be a battle cry here, but that’s too loud.
Maybe it’s more like a whisper. 
“I’m here, you’re here, and that’s good.” 
I don’t quite know what’s going on, but I will kiss you through all of it 
in melancholy 
and perhaps
even 
in celebration.

​
Picture
Olivia “Livvy” Williams is, at the time of publication, a sophomore at the University of Vermont. She is double-majoring in English, with a concentration in Creative Writing, and French. She has been writing since she can remember and is the recipient of multiple awards, including Regional Winner of the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest, Audience Favorite at a poetry contest and Poetry Out Loud class champion. Olivia has attended writing conferences at BreadLoaf and Smith College. Writing is one of the only times the world makes sense.

Sharon
4/2/2021 10:19:41 am

I am so very proud of you. Your thoughts and words are amazing, and it is a joy to have you a part of my life. Your Grandmother would be beaming with pride....she always felt you were an exception and would go where ever you wanted in life.

Greg
4/2/2021 11:01:43 am

Just a wonderful piece. Me saying I’m proud does not begin to cover it.

Candy
4/2/2021 11:23:37 am

What can I say? Damn, Liv, you brought me to tears. You are going to be heard, honey. Your voice will be a cry not only in the dark, but into the brilliant light of tomorrow. So damn proud of you! Love you to pieces!

Diana
4/2/2021 12:03:59 pm

So evocative of what continually bubbles just below the conscious mind - a beautiful poem!

sandra nash
4/2/2021 12:17:43 pm

Livvy, Thank you for -putting pen to paper- You have an extraordinary talent, being able to elicit emotion from your reader is truly a gift. "I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn." - Anne Frank

Marianne Martin
4/2/2021 12:56:56 pm

Exquisite. I actually felt you. You have a bright future ahead of you. xo

Joanne Borowiec
4/2/2021 01:57:49 pm

Beautiful piece, Livvy. Very emotional and moving.

Liz
4/2/2021 03:19:36 pm

Beautiful. So glad the world has you. The broken world needs you.

Deb
4/2/2021 03:42:45 pm

I’m so happy for you Liv. You found your gift at such a young age; and I’m so happy for us, because you’re willing to share it. This is amazing.

Christine
4/2/2021 03:43:20 pm

Beautiful Livvy!

Sue
4/17/2021 04:54:03 pm

Livvie, Dan and I are so proud of you. You have a strong voice and an open heart. Thank you for sharing your beautiful poem.


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