More Hole Than Whole

November 24, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

The woman in the mirror is flawedage spots where freckles once sprouted,streaks of white, peppering former auburn,inner scars marking discontent. How then is she expectedto know wholeness? In days when mind was sharpself-confidence wobbled;when spirituality was planted,self-judgment undermined. The path to wholenesspitted with potholes. How often emotion overrodecommon sense, and choicesled her astray, how thickthe […]

V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #73: whole

November 18, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

Joseph was eighteen when I first met him, a hulk of man with dark eyes that always glanced away, and a permanent hunch, like a cowering animal. He didn’t communicate verbally, but with patience and a steadying touch, could type out his thoughts, if the mood struck him. Some days he would pace and flutter […]

Where Are The Dogs?

Contemplating risk –a reunion with a former selflooking for an exit When did I become a snakerestrained?When did I become persona non grata? I slither between storiesconvince myself I can flydistraction a ruse I have big cat energyoverstepping boundariessocially adverse A faulty jeweldreaming of abundance but there’s a dragon to disarm My mother’s burden on my […]

Turning (tanka)

Mother

When I had a mothermy hair would cascadein curls of auburn perfectiona red velvet bow to accentuate the wave And I’d wear my bestnewly sewn frockwith lace at the neckand fishnet stockingsand patent Mary Janes And the girls giggling with delightwould skip hand-in-handto the school promand the boys shyly perchedagainst the back wall would wonderhow […]