By her seventh birthday, Tanya Beardsley had more dolls, of more sizes, that did more things, than all the other dolls of all the other girls on the block together. For those who would visit, she would display them-a parade of tiny mannequins in costumes of every description. Visitors, however, were rare. When Tanya sat … Continue reading
Ms. Adventure
A Romance Where are you going, Mommy?” my daughter asks, peering into the steamy bathroom. “Out, just out,” I snap, staring at my dazed reflection as I hurriedly dab on eyeliner. “Where’s Mommy going?” my older daughter demands, pouring her thin frame against the wall. “Out, just out,” the smaller one chants. “Leave me in … Continue reading
Scarlet Ribbons
The heavy smell of hot, wet clothing; winter dressed people in a crowded bus. Lucky she’d got a seat. That would have been too much. Standing for an hour after trudging around all day. Her feet were tired. She ached right up to her thighs. Never did have strong legs. Born on a farm, born … Continue reading
The Period of Soon
He arrived too early. Much too early. He was always a bit overanxious. The worried type. He was alone, of course. Standing alone on one particular spot. He waited halfheartedly. He knew it was too early to begin seriously waiting. He had been afraid that contrary to all schedules and recorded data it might by … Continue reading
Dreams Lost
Once pots of earth
carried miles
in strawberry baskets
“and Susan shall have
a new hat.” Continue reading
Yellow Song
I see the yellow song upon my paper
the colour of the sun or the
centre of a daisy
petals down
The Form the Same
To love you, is to elect
open heart surgery
without benefit of
anesthetic
for a body which otherwise
would survive
plenty of uneventful days
with minimum exertion. Continue reading
The Children
All her children are dead children
but some still follow her
like thin shadows
clutching at her aching legs
as she walks along the back streets
small, faded sweaters
patched jeans
tattered dresses Continue reading
Mrs. X
Mrs. X, her name was strange and long,
broke one night out of her dingy, foul-smelling
second floor room
and proceeded to throw all manner of things
eggs, tomatoes, dirty glasses and finally a chair
at her husband, hiding in the vestibule below Continue reading
For The Best
When I asked in trepidation
and waited for another answer
you only glanced at me
so now we both know
and soon must admit it Continue reading