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

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Autumn 2005 • Vol. XXVII No. 4 • Poetry |

The Rose of Time

when the watchman falls asleep 
you turn back with the storm 
to grow old embracing is 
the rose of time 

when bird roads define the sky 
you look behind at the sunset 
to emerge in disappearance is 
the rose of time 

when the knife is bent in water 
you cross the bridge stepping on flute-songs 
to cry in the conspiracy is 
the rose of time 

when a pen draws the horizon 
you're awakened by a gong from the East 
to bloom in echoes is 
the rose of time 

in the mirror there is always this moment 
this moment leads to the door of rebirth 
the door opens to the sea 
the rose of time

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