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Our poet this week writes, “My name is Samantha Hines and I’m an English major with a focus in secondary education at Endicott College. I’m from Cheshire, Connecticut and I am a sophomore this year.”

Samantha Hines

Bird in Thunder 

“I wasn’t in love with him,” I said
I was so in love with the idea of being in love
That I sipped the poison like wine
And pretended that the burning in the back of my throat
Was the acidity of aged pinot noir
And not the blistering toxins dissolving my voice

“I wasn’t in love with him,” I said
I was so infatuated with the idea of being wanted
That like a rat to cheese,
I was drawn to the trap
So while my neck was being crushed beneath the spring,
The sweet smell of cheddar numbed my breaking bones

“I wasn’t in love with him,” I said
I was so convinced that that love, was the only love
And like a bird in thunder, I saw the signs
I felt the pressure, I watched the clouds roll in 
But remained perched up high instead of seeking shelter
For I was more fearful of the ground below

— Samantha Hines

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dougholder@post.harvard.edu