tableau vivant

By Biz Hillenbrand

the artificial tulips are prettier 

but we prefer the wilted daisies 

bouquets crumpled in our fists 

bare feet flatten the soft grass 

the sun burns our shoulders and noses

turning us golden 

we pose one another like dolls 

we’ve never been younger 

or more beautiful 

we huddle around the camera 

to peer at the photos that will immortalize us us

and our youth 

it’s almost cruel

how dazzling we are

Biz Hillenbrand is a senior at UNC, where she is double majoring in dramatic arts and advertising/public relations. After graduation, she is moving to Seattle, Washington to stage manage the Seattle Outdoor Theatre Festival. Biz enjoys reading tarot and spending time with her chosen family.