A poem about escape from the hated body. —

For as long as I can remember, the women of my family have lived in hunger like hulking tigers in a cramped cage. Love is quickly used up, its quality fading from golden light into grainy shadows flicked haphazardly across God’s great canvas. After Love departs, nothing remains but the…

Published in Moonflake Press Issue 01 (Feb 2021) — Long nights I spent with forever at my feet And the knocker at my fingertips I couldn’t close the distance, I was scared Of your door. I know you never want to see me again, And I’m alright with that, I swear I am. Sometimes when I think of you…

I will love you in the pouring rain, See you down streets glimmering, See you as an adventurer set free. I’m sorry I can’t bleed beautifully Or paint you the prettiest pictures Like all your other dreamy lovers do For what it’s worth, I have unrivaled expertise In the art…

Passing by an old brick building on a slow road I almost laugh to think the last time I was there, I thought I’d found who I was supposed to be When I barely knew how to do anything more Than stay quiet and stay out of everyone’s way. I…

TW: sexual assault At the party you press me against the wall Your tongue is an invader more than an inquirer in my mouth My dress is too tight, my dress is too short I don’t remember how I got here, I don’t even want to. It’s been about a…

Rosalie double-checked her reflection for the tenth time and reapplied her lipstick. She had a feeling the night to follow would be important for her and she wanted so badly to make it perfect. She’d even worn a skirt for the occasion, something she hadn’t done since the night she…

I see you in dated Polaroid frames chasing after a new girl, Younger than me and prettier than me, her eyes sparkle And thanks to you, mine carry the weight of a soul’s death Her smile screams I have nothing at all to be insecure about, Not a worry plaguing…

With the grace of a queen My mother lowers her creaking body Into the same old wooden throne At the same old kitchen table Just a second later she sighs, Breathes heartbreak the color of the ocean But somehow it fades to gray Invisible tears fall on unforgiving cement. With…