Lily Sternlieb’s poem “Siblings Sonnet 4: 1-16” has been selected as a Topical Winner in the Live Poets Society’s 24th Annual National High School Poetry Contest. Her poem will appear in Inside of Me (forthcoming summer 2022), an anthology of award-winning poems by high school students. Lily’s poetry is also forthcoming in Navigating the Maze, an annual national anthology of the best high school poems. Congratulations, Lily!
Siblings Sonnet- 4:1-16 My brother, born and broken in Eden Soft soil, tilled rootless, sowed red and hard Father’s eyes worse than hands, leave you beaten Little boy, first born, burns in God’s house, charred I was forged second, mother’s brown-eyed girl A saintless sheep, untethered, untouched; while You led me to darkness, twilight unfurled I wished to be like you, to love, to smile But, you were not my friend nor my keeper You hurt me, cutting wool and searing skin Digging me into the dry turf, deeper You now wander earth with your mark of sin In this purgatory east of restrain I share my last name with you, brother Cain.