Light Up These Woods
Abby N. Wooldridge
Some smell the smoke
and assume that I’ve choked.
They’re glowing with pride
for they think I have died.
With no tears for me,
they’ve come here to see
my shell break down in the dirt.
They don’t understand why I still have a smile
or how I’m not crushed by the weight of this trial.
They thought that the rain
would snuff out my flame,
but the storm struck new life in my soul.
I’ve been hollowed out,
but my echoes still shout.
And here in the dark
shadows burn with my spark.
Beauty from ashes
will grow in this ground,
and I’ll light up these woods once again.
This is my 110 word #FallWritingFrenzy 2026 contest entry. Many thanks to Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis for hosting and to all the generous prize donors. Check out the rules of the contest here.
Photo #5 Credit: Unsplash via David Lincoln
