Poetry
2016
All 2016 Poetry (a-z)
Editor’s Choice
Bottom Feeders by Emily Page
Emily Page is a writer whose pieces will have you engulfed in their meanings. She writes with power and focused imagery making readers yearn for more. Bottom Feeder does all these things as she travels through an investigation scene, exposing the gruesome reality of religion. So in light of our theme social categories we have choosen Emily Page as our Editor’s Choice. Her knack for building a scene and usage of emotive language creates a work that many should envy. Not only does her ability to format a poem serve envious her message as well. Religion is a touchy category that some identify with and some don’t. This piece expresses interest to both as we are submerged with the view of one boy, one religion, and one death.
Pushing open the door, he heard them.
as the flashlight crossed over a fluffy pink rug
the scent of voodoo lilies and salt water
hung like stale cheese in the air vent.
And there
scratching at the plastic rivets in the tub
pecking at the bloated, goose-skin blue body
of a small boy submerged under water
were crabs.
Their eyes
like burnt matches,
and held between their feathery lips
was flesh.
They crawled across the boys skin
that blossomed with ruptured blood vessels,
like thin purple string under a bubbly wax casing.
He backed away from the tub
bumping against a sticky counter
feeling for the light switch.
The room ignited with color
and he saw a counter covered
in rainbow cream and six candles.
The figures of blue moved into the room
pressing him further against the sink
he saw the book of Mormon
nailed above the door
and felt there was no religion
left in the walls.
About Emily Page
Emily Page is a senior double majoring in English and German with a minor in Digital Technology and Culture, and an Editing and Publishing Certificate. When she is not busy writing a story at 3am, you can find her drinking a Capri Sun or Redbull as she races to class.