More than 3 decades have passed. I know only because the marks are scratched into the wall next to where I try to sleep. Sometimes I stare at those crooked lines, losing myself in the valleys of shadows and dust trapped in those tiny crevices. Sometimes I stay up too late counting each slash; remembering,… Continue reading Imaginary Bondage
It is the greatest uninspired era to date. It was supposed to be the best time of our cultural existence. Where there may be too much. Information, food, choices, and leisure. But little did we know we’ve been perfecting a hidden hell that’s the envy of every people. Streets paved with treasures. Sparkling, sweet tasting,… Continue reading Can You Stand Our Story?
She took a deep breath to calm the sick feeling deep in her stomach. Happy faces glided past the windows outside, but she was safe and invisible behind the tinted glass. She glanced down at the faded flower dress that she found in the back of her closet this morning. It wasn’t nearly as pretty… Continue reading Broken Promises
What I will mourn most It’s not you hair or your buttons But what I didn’t tell you And if you didn’t tell me One day I may wake up when you’re no longer listening I can’t add to what’s said Yesterday. And what if Tomorrow. I cannot add any more, anymore. To what will… Continue reading After Word
Drip of bright In the overwhelming nothing Lick of light Under soul-emptied breathless Undone night Through the blood-curdling silence How do I know if anything’s there How can I care where I can’t go How will you believe the unknown deep Unsaid word In the jabber-scream hollow Inhale stirred Under silt shoveled righteous Its not… Continue reading Stars
Every Sunday, she was distracted by that picture. Tried not to look for too long, because it made her uncomfortable, but she couldn’t get it out of her head. And there, just on a forgotten wall down the church hall. She thought maybe they should have covered up that picture years ago, like all the… Continue reading What Good Girls Wear
The last time she saw him. She knew he was there, could feel the air in the room, heavy with his presence. Her eyes were too heavy. To open. As much as she wanted to. She physically couldn’t. Her body. Was letting go. But her mind was present. It was as if she had never… Continue reading The Last Time
The virtues and vices of humankind are infinitely interesting. Even more so, a single subject that is both virtue and vice provides hours of thought, conversation, and hilarious entertainment. I mean really, just stop to think about it for a minute. If you want to watch someone absolutely lose his/her mind, don’t just point to… Continue reading Taking Sex Too Seriously
She took a deep breath and took hold of the peeling shopping cart handle. One arm battled to bend her daughter’s leg, while the other arm hoisted the baby awkwardly above the metal basket. Anchoring one foot behind the closest wheel to keep the cart from rolling away, she wiggled the uncooperative little girl into… Continue reading Solving the Struggle of Mom
Dearest War, Waking up this morning I felt that sick stone pressing on my lungs again. Breath a little short, metal spoon-like keeping me from inhaling the bright dawn. Throbbing pools held back just behind the shell of my face. Not enough power to let it down, to let them fall, to release. Because I… Continue reading Dearest War
Cindy Koch 