Read the winning piece of our 2025 Nonfiction Contest “Through the Mirror” by Jessie Cato selected by Lucy Ives.

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Summer 1952 • Vol. XIV No. 3 • Poetry |

Song of the Mad Menagerie

By William Merwin

I on whom the wild sun
Upon unvaried journey
Burned with jealousy
Because of my unreason,

Know I was legendary.
On straw I lie down.
Wise hand, be wary:
My rage is uneven.

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