Category: Emotional Health
Constellation of Pleasure: Only the Stars Can Hear Me
Chapter 1: Bloodguilt “You’re done with your period, right?” Elijah asked as he lit the candle on the nightstand beside his bed. It was already burnt down from use, but I knew better than to ask why. I wasn’t sure how to answer him at first. I had seen some Read more
DECLARATION
Are you getting a divorce? Are you a near-deranged insomniac? Is the woman of your dreams staying there, only in the dreams? Did your son complain of a stomach ache— the kind you only get when your father is leaving? Are you sick of leftovers? Barely eating, I assume? Alcohol Read more
Lust without limits
Frivolous beyond imagination, Sexy with wide intellect, I am lust with prejudice. Desires out of range, Caption with no words, I am a lust without limits. Puritan to the core, Raped by this earth, I am lust with rancor. Naturally siding with humanity, Moving shapes like snakes, I am lust Read more
Why I Can’t Stop Buying Things
As I looked down at the near-full perfume bottles, Shoes I haven’t worn since high school, Shirts that stopped fitting ten pounds ago, And dozens of pairs of panties, socks, and ripped hosiery, I realized why I can’t stop buying things—I don’t like myself very much. Paying for color analyses, Read more
For the Girl in Row 5
It’s easy money. Walk slowly, hands behind your back, checking no one is cheating. Up and down the rows of desks, quietly handing out tissues, pens. For a teacher of 5 year olds, exam invigilation with 16 year olds is a breeze. Some children look anxious, one girl is biting Read more
Close to Home
Today is a good day to die. The neighbor’s mother is dying next door, fifty feet from us. She has been dying for some days. The son arrived yesterday, though, from Ohio, all red-eyed, sleep deprived, and unshaven, and I happened to be collecting the mail. “Hi, how are you?” I Read more