Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Dragon
Comfort
A roar, a thud through all the bones, and the world upside down. A hill of unpressed stalks cascade to the dirt. He lies in the razor-edged row by the road, seeing the sky as if for the first time. The unwinking sun. Slow spreading warmth. He reaches to his chest to listen with his fingers, but his hands lie upturned and deaf in the dust. Shouts. Rough hands try to be gentle. His boy at school. And Kiyo. Kiyo would know what to do. Her small perfect mouth. He sends his breath to her. She is so far away.
Great line, "He reaches to his chest to listen with his fingers, but his hands lie upturned and deaf in the dust."
Congrats on the well-deserved win! This was a beautiful piece.
-r-