vulnerable

she collects pebbles until her hands are stiff. her fingers cramp up from inspecting them and her skirt pocket tears away under the weight. at home she tucks them into corners, glues them in place. tries not to breathe in the fumes. the leather satchel is torn, strips of material peeling away in places and…

flattery + reward + trial

stage one: butter up, create a clever word play hope it all pays off.   stage three: flattery. spin words in a mock trial wait for the verdict.   stage five: still waiting. calmly fretful as the word is spoken: reward.

Vignette (2)

The shop is tiny, the very definition of a hole-in-the wall - at least, assuming there is a wall. People huddle together, each staring at a smartphone or with headphones on. They're all waiting for their turn to order a coffee, and they pay quickly. The outside of the store is very plain, advertising coffee and…

the timer, 1.2

the clock is running. she's speaking, tentative. she's only got eleven minutes to present the story. it's not enough time. confident now: three minutes left.

green + tide

the lawn is green, but only just. it's dried, crunching under foot (summer)   green tea brews amber; mini tidal wave into thin porcelain cups.   bottle of fabric detergent in the laundry; keeping clothing fresh.

shadow-self

walking through the night streetlights glow through thin curtains - wind echoes a song. a ghost walks on soft feet, treading by candlelight: wisps of smoke follow. mirror in a dark room - there stands a shadow. she looks like she knows me.

poetry 101 rehab: scream + circus

label me: cool. smart. fun. interesting. this is both the best and worst thing you can do. (you never stopped to see if i could live up to it) i'm kicking at the window, swirly-patterned glass distorting our shared view. see me - do you see me? (do you only see what you would like…

poetry 101 rehab: rope

read the labels, map out a blueprint in red and write your own instruction. (need a tether to reality, but don't we all?) weave together a chain: loops linked to each other. (do you know, you're holding infinity in your hands?) braid a rope, shaky-handed: tricky, smooth, glossy: finer attention to detail required. ambition, vital.…

rein + quest

take full rein, allow yourself to enjoy the calm: just days off madness. start your latest quest - pause in between and request the help you refused. make your plans, in full control: call yourself a queen and wreck your quests.

magic & glimmer

steal magic from the sky, breathe in star-ash and watch the night's sparkle. catch the stars as they fall, tuck them into a bag - use in rituals. weave a tapestry. magic, glimmering in each and every strand.