Two men share a pair of headphones, ‘Oh, I love these political songs’. He — red hair, dilated pupils— looks as though he wants to rest his head on his companion’s shoulder. ‘Is this Chumbawamba?’ eyebrows raise A joke? ‘Reminds me of Brittan’ surrounded by swaying passengers on the bus Red fumbles with his earbud … Continue reading Bus 99, Vancouver
Lake Lovely Water, Vancouver
We sweat through our backpacks, Tripping over unstable river stones we search for the bright plastic ribbons that flutter guiding us up this fucking mountain. Higher — Scrambling up the steep cliff, my nails deep in the dirt. We start with laughter, twenty questions — Who am I? Three hours in, everyone ahead Above, I cannot … Continue reading Lake Lovely Water, Vancouver
Short Story: Shwarma
When we check Katie into the hospital for the surgery at 7am and she is already hungry. ‘Fuck not eating for twelve hours’ she sits grumpily in the wheelchair, her long brown hair still rumpled and wet from her shower. We're not nervous, this surgery is going to fix everything. All the weakness she’s been … Continue reading Short Story: Shwarma
Suds n Duds in Altus, Oklahoma
Suds n duds in Oklahoma. Pastel peach chairs line the window and painted pot plants spill greenery on the checked linoleum floor. It’s soothing, the whirring of dryers and the jingle of someone counting quarters. The air smells of warm clothing. Outside, the sun is bright and the wind bitter. The land is dry and … Continue reading Suds n Duds in Altus, Oklahoma
Short Story: Dane’s Mum
They have to move because Stan, the guy in the flat above, has been creeping on Dane’s mum. She’s nervous at the best of times and uncomfortable around people. Dane does the shopping. The plastic bags cut into his hands as he walks from the supermarket and he wonders if she would feel better if … Continue reading Short Story: Dane’s Mum
The Book of Estrangement: Part 1
She stopped speaking to him. Without her to buoy their fractured relationship, there was no contact. Nothing. Who knew when it first started? With the Nazi's maybe, but no one ever talked about it. Love withheld. A gas that poisons generations —mother to son, son to daughter. Blood of my blood. Bone of my bone. … Continue reading The Book of Estrangement: Part 1
Content Wars
I had felt the urge to write a poem for the first time in a long time, but then, I became distracted by my thoughts of other people. I forgot that I meant to think of you. I forgot what I wanted to say. That I had anything to share that wasn't click-bait. Or a … Continue reading Content Wars
Centenery Park
Geese sit in packs outside our parked car. Having scoped our exit, they wait — for bread or blood. Sweat slicked and wearing expensive leggings — couples jog past noses wrinkle in disdain At us, the Human Farts. Why do people in parks insist on eating their soft serves like they are sucking … Continue reading Centenery Park
Huntsman
Sitting on the toilet I can see the hairs on its legs From finger to thumb it measures the length of my hand. Abel and Kane Our arachnid friend is unaware its significance is biblical. It would have been his 40th birthday this year All bones and dust The remains of our bond … Continue reading Huntsman
Short Story: Daily Commute
It’s been a hard morning, struggling to get the baby up, changed and dressed before walking to the bus stop. She needs to be carried and she is almost too big for it. It’s stinking hot too. Sweat is trickling down by back by the time we pass the corner shop and I wish I’d … Continue reading Short Story: Daily Commute
