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. The other — dark eyes, hair still wet from the shower— ‘Isn't this Chumbawamba?’ eyebrows raise A joke? ‘Reminds me of Britain’ Their … 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: Ikram’s
‘A perfect California day’ the announcer says over the radio as we drive to the hospital. Outside, the sun is lemonade -yellow. Katie has her dark glasses on and growls about how hungry she is. ‘Fuck not eating for twelve hours’ she says. Later, she sits grumpily on the hospital bed. "I'd kill for a … Continue reading Short Story: Ikram’s
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
Stan, the guy in the flat above, has been creeping on Dane's mum. He knows this because he found the notes ripped pieces crumpled in their rubbish bin. They'd been there, on-top of that night's cold leftovers. They made him feel sick to his stomach. Torn pieces of exercise book paper, the writing scratched and … 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 my back by the time we pass the corner shop and I wish I’d … Continue reading Short Story: Daily Commute
