Shouts. Screams. Cursing. Fighting. Empty promises. Abandonment. Unspoken goodbyes.

No one should experience such a separence from their mother, the only person who didn’t complain about excreting you into their existence. Well, I hope not. I like to think not, so let’s think not for just a second.

My mother was of the affectionate kind; she always gave a physical display of her affection. A hug...

** ** ** ** **

As you regain consciousness, out of breath and leaning against a tree in the forest, you have the urgent feeling that you need to run... The signs are there: hidden in the stiffness of your spine, the dryness of your throat, the squareness of your trembling shoulders; and yet, sleep paralysis roots your body to the base of the tree.

“Sh*t, sh*t, sh*t,” you cry under your breath a...

I smell like a rat;

My hair’s all wet and stringy,

My clothes stick damp to my skin,

Please, just… LET! ME! IN!

I feel like Antarctica;

The wind slaps at my face,

My feet? I can’t even begin,

Please, just… LET! ME! IN!

Tap tap, bang bang bang, boom;

My hands thump the oak violently,

The thunder rumbling amongst the drenched ruins,

Please, just… LET! ME! IN!

I swear I’m gonna die;

Pneumonia and ...

FIVE

Mother gave five chances

For you to screw things up;

Quite frankly, I’m baffled it took so long,

We’ve been together for like…forever!

It was every fifth week,

We rode the metro to Zauphy’s,

Scarfing more than our wallets could handle,

And I had to drag you outside.

Five bottles of champagne

Wasted down your shirt and gullet,

And you squealed like a goat on the train home;

I almost felt as...

In a quiet bookstore, where dreams softly reside,

Two souls, like lost pages, on a journey to confide.

They sought an obscure book, a treasure yet untold,

Its words, like whispered secrets, stories to unfold.

Fingers brushed on the spine, a serendipitous touch,

In that hallowed aisle, where hearts open, and they clutch.

Their eyes met, and within them, a universe unfurled,

Two kindred spirits mee...

“News flash,” announced a horrified reporter. “Rubiana Malloy, a former employee of a pharmaceutical company, has broken into the location of her employment after hours and stole $5,000 worth of drugs. Not only was she seen on the cameras of other neighboring companies, but a toxicology report issued that she poisoned her late husband, Marc Malloy, of 15 years. She claimed that she was a victim of...

Friends are important;

I can count on them for help.

When things go awry,

And I’m not feeling my best,

Their support is always there.

They are my safety,

They are my problem solvers.

With one look at them,

My heart bursts with happiness.

How did I get so lucky?...

“I don’t usually say this,

But I see something in you.

The way you’re tapping your fingers,

And shuffling your shoes.”

“Even though you’re a troublemaker,

Choreography is your art.

Wherever your feet takes you,

I know the music’s in your heart.”

I swear, Mrs. Johnson,

Dancing is only a hobby.

I don’t wanna be those rich girls,

All fake, entitled, and snobby.”

“I appreciate you for noticing,

But...

Clutching tightly onto Sarah’s shoulders, the girl stared up at her sister with wide, fearful eyes. Her face grew ashen as she violently shook her sister.

“Are you in trouble? Sarah, are you in trouble?” Sarah furrowed an eyebrow, but remained silent at her sister’s paranoia. Mitzi’s eyes widened even further and her breathing labored.

“S-Sarah? Are… are you the killer?”

Sarah blinked, stunn...

If only I can breathe in air,

Without feeling my own dispair,

I’ll let it go for troubles ease

And rest my head upon my knees.

If only I can see the light;

That burns within, that burns so bright;

Then maybe I am worth my life,

And maybe I’ll put down the knife.

If only my hands weren’t so sticky,

Then maybe I won’t feel so icky.

But the blood of those I killed for you,

Will always stain the sol...