Month: July 2023

My
DEBUT performance before the crowd is something I have
HOARDed from the moment of its final curtain. Of course it’s
SILLY to willy-nilly class that moment above all others, to keep UPPERmost a moment the hordes have certainly forgotten.  

The
LUPUS diagnosis en-
ABLED
SALLY to stay
ALIVE.

SALTY soup boils on our gas-fired stove, a hock of pork a
SLOOP on a broiling potato sea. The kitchen’s face is
STEAMing. My sweating mother sees me, stops me,
TRUSSes my arms to my side: “I know your taste buds’re itchin.’”

HEAVY-handed Frederick in his wife’s
FRILLy apron loads the dishes in the
FALSE-fronted dishwasher, sets the
CYCLE as he wishes. The water swishes.