Jesse Domenech
It was the year we ran out
of lilies. There was so much loss
that funeral wreaths
were made of plastic bulbs.
That’s all that was left.
All the other flowers
had been pulled
and offered to the dead.
And the new lilies
had yet to bloom.
Jesse Domenech (1985-2023) was a Cuban-American poet and songwriter from Queens, NY, who championed compassion and generosity, often through humor, on the page and in life. He was a student of Billy Collins’ Poetic Hydraulics workshop and drew inspiration from hip-hop, standup comedy, and life’s curiosities. Although Jesse was a prolific author, his work had never before been published. He was a beloved friend to many.
The prize money has been donated to the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen in Manhattan in Jesse’s memory.
Briefly Write 