Walter noticed that his boyfriend had been acting a bit off lately. It was normal for him to be running off somewhere due to his job as a nurse, but he always made it up to Walter. Oliver always made sure to text Walter in advance if a shift came up or for his absence the next morning. Walter didn’t mind because he does the same thing. Walter’s job kept him busy so he’s always on the run too. He u...

I could smell it in the air before I could it see it. Usually, smelling rain in the air has a calming affect on me. Not today. Today, I could smell rain, electricity, and something more sinister on its way. Today, the threat of a tornado hang heavily like a ominous vulture waiting to make its strike.

Calmly and quickly, I stop what I am doing and put away my gardening tools and call for Frida, m...

They start small, barely branching out

Shy, unsure

They’re patient without a doubt

But seeing their siblings wake up

Encouraged, reaching

Arms, legs, limb they stretch

Sun is their goal

Like Icarus, gloating at high achievements

Tiny dancers in sync with one another

Untirelessly dancing night and day

Weather-pay no heed

Conjoined strength is all they need

Though they are mortal

Time brings i...

It started when I began to fetch water from the nearby river. Our well wasn’t working properly so I was tasked with making the journey to and from the river at least twice a day. Mother was worried that my health may deteriorate with carrying the heavy load daily as I was already prone to sickness. However, Mother and my oldest brother are busy on our farm and things have been busier since my youn...