Getting Back on My Feet
In our walker strolls, me with an orange safety belt wrapped around my waist, Paul clutching it tight, we stop so I can exercise on a staircase, between the parallel bars, or just to rest in an alcove across from the elevator lobby, check my vitals, and talk. About the book he’s reading — his excitement when Arthur first meets Merlin. About the way writing my poetry helps me confront my trauma. About his love of the woods — the beauty of the moon skimming through winter branches — or taking his three daughters on a camping trip. About the time he and his wife drove...
Read MoreMigraine
She tells me it’s like the halos of saints preceding the onset, then a nightlight too bright to endure. Rolled up in old sheets the color of fever and a blanket as blue as cobalt, she shades her eyes from as much of the world as she is willing to acknowledge. Her words are pained, careful as feet near the deteriorating half-way crumble on the Kalalau...
Read MoreScars
“Felix had sideswiped something blue, and he was as curious about what it might have been as we were.” - from Dead-Eye Dick, by Kurt Vonnegut and that’s it, isn’t it? you get set down and don’t ever get told by anyone what got you there. memory like a deck of cards; you trip and never can tell what will land face up. and the head a burning building — walk in after and something will be saved but you can’t say what beforehand. could be an unkind busdriver — could be a broken lace. birds land and don’t get up again. tides roll in and stay...
Read MoreFeatured Works: Week of Jan. 14 (Finding a Voice)
One of the best ways to learn and grow as a society is by listening to those whose voices are often overlooked. This week’s contributors do just that. “Eight Days in Prison” by Nicholas Chittick chronicles roughly a week of experiences in a medium-security Illinois prison. “Own” by Brooks Lindberg is a poem from the point of view of a young person dealing with family strife. “Dissolution” by Julie McNeely-Kirwan follows a man as he strives to get a lawyer to help him secure an unusual...
Read MoreDissolution
“We can’t help you, sir.” The smartly-dressed paralegal’s smile was fixed as she rose to show the conversation was over. Kemp resignedly gathered up his files and walked out past a sign reading “Discount Divorces. Egress for Less!!” Inside, he fretted. How difficult could it be? It was an uncontested divorce, no custody disputes. . . “And, heaven knows,” said Jillian, ever mischievous, “we won’t be fighting over the furniture.” Kemp ignored her and kept turning the matter over in his mind. Nothing hard. Just one unusual factor. “Oh, yes. Just that...
Read MoreOwn
Listen to your brother who Fucks, harms, and doesn’t care. Listen to the name he calls you In another room. Listen to the Silence after. Listen. Now watch. Watch as he struts down the stairs. Watch his pocketed hand as he Ruffles your hair. Watch him look Away as he asks you, “You yours?” Watch your feet as he asks you, “You’re whose?” Watch him turn. Watch as his breathing changes When mother enters the room. Watch As he pushes the door shut behind Him. Watch your mother chase...
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