Breath & Shadow
August 2026 - Vol. 23, Issue 4
"i have broken free"
written by
Sarah EA Heart
i have broken free
from wings that held me aloft
hands that folded mine
heads that bowed
books that collected dust
eyes that condemned
lips that split
fingers that wagged
saccharine smiles
deep pockets
whispered lies
hidden faces
no longer will my gift
be conditional
rather, i will use it
as i see fit
if there is milk and honey
it isn’t feeding the hungry
i chose neither the lion
nor the lamb
but a secret third thing:
humanity
Sarah EA Hart is an Autistic and disabled writer and freelance editor who loves examining the underbelly of society and looking for the cracks of light under which forgotten people flourish. She graduated from Emerson College with an MFA in Popular Fiction Writing & Publishing. During her “day job,” she supports autistic children, teens, and young adults. Sarah has published several short stories in various magazines and anthologies. She lives in Virginia with her husband and their cats. You can find her on Instagram: @authorsaraheahart