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Lilies by Madilyn Lopez | One Poem Only
Episode 2828th May 2026 • One Poem Only • Maggie Devers
00:00:00 00:02:09

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A daily reading from One Poem Only—a quiet space for a single poem, read aloud.

Lilies

Madilyn Lopez

blood gushes from underneath my index fingers
underneath my thumbs
my eyes go white and pin-point black
bloodshot— my artery.
my throat seals itself shut like a wooden door stuck in humidity’s clutch
i tilt my chin to the popcorn ceiling
gasping for air that’s already escaped
Lilies are my favorite flower by the way.
it is late.
12:15am exactly.
my neck starts to itch where brittle bone holds nostalgic flesh imprints
the coffee on my wooden-chipped scarred nightstand has gone tepid
then frigid
it is late.
12:17am exactly.
congealed blood gushes from my nose where I have never been hit only walked into steel and
concrete walls
my tear ducts know no repentance stuck in confession my chest feels like
tenmilliontrapdoorsleftunsealed
i scratch at the duct tape fastened around my goosebumped body clawing like a raved
rabid wretched animal wretched thing
salivating
foaming
aching
teeth baring
Lilies are my favorite flower by the way.
it is late.
12:21 exactly.
Lilies.
Lilies. Lilies. Lilies.
Lilies.

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