Poetry

Broken Heart Emoji, Crystal Ball Emoji, Stars Emoji

Broken Heart Emoji, Crystal Ball Emoji, Stars Emoji

I’ve heard we only remember the bad things that happen to us I’ve heard we only remember the bad things that happen to us but I don’t want to forget my silences times my reality & experience were overruled such forgetting would be one more form of erasure I am...

Bits

Bits

This is the part of the story about my first time getting wasted that most don’t hear This is the part of the story about my first time getting wasted that most don’t hear the part when I wake up at Stacey’s house with her boyfriend on top of me, holding a bottle of...

Nicomekl River

Nicomekl River

A trace of her hair tucked away, his skin beneath her nails. Each square reminded him of hopscotch. Her head like a tetherball. What kind “The loneliest thing in the world is waiting to be found.” —Sarah Linden, The Killing A trace of her hair tucked away, his skin...

Boys Will Be Boys

Boys Will Be Boys

Okay, or entitled little shits Okay, or entitled little shits until taught not to throw sand, “bitch,” direct punches. A catchphrase can be cute, explain away aggression, catcalling, rape. Blame, “can’t help themselves.” Try putting other words there, say, “choice,”...

The Disappearing Woman

The Disappearing Woman

With her new magic, she makes you invisible. With her new magic, she makes you invisible. The women with black eyes do not see you, in your bare sleeves, your tired, unmarked face. The women with black eyes can say doorknob. Can say staircase and fell down. She...

On Receiving Bad News

On Receiving Bad News

We, women, grew hungry, ate from a pile of unassuming, pleasant rocks. They fell down our throats, slipped into the blankness of our bodies. We, women, grew hungry, ate from a pile of unassuming, pleasant rocks. They fell down our throats, slipped into the blankness...

for play

for play

This is a game for girls: putting a hat on the cat, putting pants on the cat, drawing a turkey by tracing her hand. Little girls like cats. 1 This is a game for girls: putting a hat on the cat, putting pants on the cat, drawing a turkey by tracing her hand. Little...

Penknife

Penknife

I don’t remember much of the train, but I remember William who gave me his engraved penknife at the station I don’t remember much of the train, but I remember William who gave me his engraved penknife at the station that spring in Pisa. Jordan at the other end in...

Back, Cover

Back, Cover

When I finish my first book, I wonder who'll blurb the unsubstantiated blows my father landed upside my head. “An unforgettable voice in fiction.” When I finish my first book, I wonder who'll blurb the unsubstantiated blows my father landed upside my head. “An...

Loyalty and Violence

Loyalty and Violence

When I finally told you that my first boyfriend raped me, I was worried you would be mad When I finally told you that my first boyfriend raped me, I was worried you would be mad I hadn’t told you sooner. You and Dad believed so innocently that you could keep me safe...

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ROOM 47.4 FULL CIRCLE
Step back with Room into the past, to parents, to childhood homes, and to people once known and loved; dig into themes of grief and healing; and ultimately explore what it means to come full circle in literature.

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