‘In line’ by Alex Dunkin

Poem text which reads: In line
It’s a short path. The stroll on hardened earth not even a two-step. The size doesn’t matter. The lushness on the prickling greens is trimmed and controlled in a perfect mask. An artificial boundary cuts off its natural reach. A single bud rises from the shadows. It rises against the ancient chills. It’s new, refreshed; rising to be brighter than the seasons passed. The colour will be a lure to many, threat to few. Pinched away, another grows. Intense and born in determination.

Photo of a small white flower growing in dark green grass.

About the author

Alex Dunkin is a Queer, NB, ASD writer based on Kaurna Country (Adelaide, South Australia). Alex is the author of the queer YA novel Coming Out Catholic, experimental romance Homebody, and grotesque satire Fair Day. Alex is the editor of the queer oral history collection Peering Through, an anthology of emerging creative researchers Green, and an anthology by Queer and Disabled South Australians Oh, How We Laughed*. They are passionate about discovering emerging creatives and publishing underrepresented voices, which is what led to them founding the micro-publishing label Buon-Cattivi Press.

Photo by Kevin Mueller on Unsplash.