They awaken and glare at the ceiling,Which is veiled in stripes of light from the curtained windowsAnd the chatter of dark-eyed juncosTrilling and pecking at the frost-painted grass outside.Exhausted, they climb out of their sunken mattressAnd return to the realm of the living, unwillingly,They sift through life’s seabed, looking for self-worth,A gentle mind, and a … Continue reading Morning

A coffee shop is a quiet place: a serene pausefrom the trials of reality and from the bustleof these busy Los Angeles streets.The radio on the barista’s counter is playing Billie Holiday,The impossible will take a little while,the man in front of me has rouge on his cheeksand with a twinkle in his eye, orders … Continue reading The Cooper Do-nuts Riot

I drive home breathless, humidity in my faceas the golden streetlights meet the traffic lights, car brightsgas station prices and restaurant signs,the engine of my Honda growls,someone’s music in the car next to me ismaking the asphalt beneath me shudder,and I’m playing Ivy by Frank Ocean, andI thought that I was dreaming when you said … Continue reading Baton Rouge

the mattresses are on the carpet in the room with no windows.i sit facing the fan to stifle the heat,which is pouring sweatonto my freckles.sometimes a card is blown awayand i run to get it so we can keep playing go fish.there's a crack behind me, followed by a shatter and clinking.the window in my … Continue reading katrina