Morning comes, but not the men
to twist and tear us from our vines.

My sister, near the stem,
says it’s a miracle.

My sister, below her,
drips her dew and warns us
not to get our hopes up.

Why should today be any different?

And yet, the sun grows above the vineyard
and no one comes to take us.

My sister, swinging low,
thanks us for pressing her down,
just enough to taste the warming earth.

How good it is, she says,
to be here with all of you.

Sarah Richman is a writer based in Washington, DC, where she helps run a combination bookstore and magic shop. She has written two young adult books, The Cheat and Family Ties, for hire, and her fiction and poetry are published in literary magazines and reviews across the United States and Scotland. There's nothing she likes better than a good story, a friendly dog, and a hot cup of tea. You can find her on Twitter at @itssarahrichman and read more of her work at sarahrichmanwriter.com.