molten threads
hardened into delicate beauty
easily shattered
handle with care

silent while intact
but when broken, each piece chimes once
a cry
as it separates

water throws rainbows
on the walls
when the sun kisses it

icicles, smooth and hard
beneath fingertips
fragile, not to be squeezed

like lemonade, cool and sweet
against the parched tongue

of an empty room


Amanda McLeod is an Australian creative. Her words and art have appeared in many places both in print and online, and her debut flash collection ‘Animal Behaviour’ is available now from Chaffinch Press. When she’s not immersed in words or covered in paint, she’s usually outside with her dogs. Connect via her website amandamcleodwrites.com.