Lilies by Madilyn Lopez | One Poem Only

One Poem Only · May 28, 2026 · 2m

A daily reading from One Poem Only—a quiet space for a single poem, read aloud.

Lilies

Madilyn Lopez

blood gushes from underneath my index fingers

underneath my thumbs

my eyes go white and pin-point black

bloodshot— my artery.

my throat seals itself shut like a wooden door stuck in humidity’s clutch

i tilt my chin to the popcorn ceiling

gasping for air that’s already escaped

Lilies are my favorite flower by the way.

it is late.

12:15am exactly.

my neck starts to itch where brittle bone holds nostalgic flesh imprints

the coffee on my wooden-chipped scarred nightstand has gone tepid

then frigid…