a literary playground

By: Claire Kroening

About The Piece:

“a crackle of trilliums” explores the depths of closeted identity, and its intersection with facing fears that hold one back.

CW: references to death

Bury me under trilliums,
where the soil aches in frostbite
and roots intertwine themselves
around my bones.
Their petals burst undisturbed;
speckles of color boundless
by the world swamping
at their pointed-etched stems.
Bury me under trilliums—
where their blooms implode,
grasping fruitful identity
like a balm to muted-masses.
There is only so much
a heart can carry
before weathered-eyes open;
seeking sanctuary
in a city of unknowns.
Bury me under trilliums,
where starscaped skies
utter the unspoken.

About The Artist:

Claire Kroening is a writer of picturesque poetry and prose based in the upper midwest region of the United States. Their work has been published in a multitude of online and print magazines worldwide, gaining recognition from the Young Writer’s Journal as well as Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. When not working on their latest endeavors, they appreciate visiting art museums and studying creative writing. More of their work can be found on their Instagram @clairerosek and their website.