Searching through soft squares
Inherited neglected
Never found occasions for outings
Though always kept
For such chance excursions
Now it’s her time to shine
After resting during uncounted seasons
Since those loving hands of one
Who also rests now
In a forgotten crypt
Saved her from other fates
But might have never dreamt
She’d hide the visage
From escaping contagion
Rather than festoon
The reserved blouse
Or sweet dresses of spring
Imogen Arate is an award-winning poet and the Executive Producer and Host of the weekly poetry podcast Poets and Muses. She has written poetry since her tween years—in four languages and published in two. Her poems “A Declaration of Loyalty” and “Sanctuary” took home the second and third prizes of the 2020 National Federation of Press Women's at-large Communications contest. She is also the 2019 Phoenix Poetry Slam Erotic Haiku Deathmatch Champion.