Lauren Kells is a recent graduate of Lipscomb University with an English major. She presented her poetry collection, “same ball of light” at Sigma Tau Delta’s 2023 International Conference and her work has been published in the 2023 editions of Periphery Art and Literary Magazine and Applause Journal.
Sleepover
in the radiator heat of your
body i was kicking your ankles to annoy
you wondering aloud if you wanted
to ask your mom for donuts or waffles tomorrow
a few build-a-bears still live in
your sheets and their glossy eyes remember
the frivolous secrets we told
each other and all the tears we cried that
carried us away from honey sweet
simplicity i’m afraid but
when i spend the night now we sleep
in separate beds and you’re always going
back to your room alone
where you still never take off the friendship
bracelet i gave you and always whisper
goodnight to me through the walls
we’re stepping into a bittersweet meteor
shower and i’m understanding
that your hand is still in mine like it always
was it’s just bigger now