Stealthy in bare feet
three bandits come.
Prize swivels high between
striped green leaves.
Bandits on a plastic chair
beating with a mop
upon the coveted coconut.
Sweat-damp and panting.
Leap, swing, thud, thud
thud. Stuck determinedly.
The three thieves giggle,
soft as church. Strain.
Until at last they see,
just a few feet off,
a long sturdy ladder
more than tall enough.
Yvonne McArthur is a freelance writer and developmental editor based in Guatemala. Growing up between cultures sparked her love for telling stories that encourage us to be kinder, more courageous, more connected humans. She’s completed one full-length fantasy novel and recently started her second. Her short fiction has appeared in anthologies and online, and her editorial work helps writers sharpen their voice, strengthen their story arcs, and connect more deeply with their readers. When she’s not working on manuscripts, you’ll find her riding her motorcycle with her canine sidekick, hiking volcanoes, or devouring her latest read.