reflection of a dead deer — Antaya Malnati

the target carved into my forehead 
burns, pulses like a stab wound
although it’s no deeper than the first
layer of flesh. faintly beige fur is 
tainted with nearly dried blood. i think
i like the idea of being the period
at the end of a sentence.
maybe i could be  
significant enough for you to pause–
just long enough to inspect
the bullet wound in my head
like an artist. do you
look through it like a window
into my splintered soul,
like a mirror into yours?
maybe now you will take me
for a prize. clean me up and mount me
on your basement wall. i sit prettiest 
dead. 

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Antaya is a 4-time award winning poet who spends her days writing, drawing, and cooking. She has been published for her first place award in the IHSWC. Antaya is a sophomore in high school with big dreams in creative writing.