As if things weren’t already broken

Pieces unaccounted for

What made this demolition any different…

I usually hammer in my points

And you bull-doze through the argument.

Then we break for lunch.

By end of day we’ve cooled off

But now morning has crawled to our front door

I didn’t hear when you left

But your presence is missed

Your absence is felt

Will our paths cross?

Or will we continue...

1 gallon of water

1/2 dozen eggs

Store brand Vanilla bean ice cream

And toothpaste on sale

Patiently in stop and go traffic

On the way to the cashier

The sound of hollow beeping

Echoed in my ear

My tampons moved closer

Behind the

1 gallon of water

1/2 dozen eggs

Store brand Vanilla bean ice cream

And toothpaste on sale

Belonging to the young man

In black Dickies

With shrugged shoulder...

Life was unfolding beautifully like patiently crafted origami art rigidly holding its own, stretching itself, recounting details of the journey.

This was the moment I wrote about on the neon green poster board I transformed into a visual vision. I still remember glueing clip art of big crowds and microphones while sitting on the round tarted rug in the middle of the spare room of my parents hou...

Under the bright lights I could feel the sweat beading across my forehead.

I couldn’t tell exactly where the laughs were coming from. But nonetheless I felt pleased. I missed this feeling. Being on stage.

In between laughs I over heard my manager stage right booking the next gig.

“No you pay the deposit and then we announce the show,” Teddy exclaimed.

I thought to myself things are really lo...

The keys played by the pianist faded

As feet shuffled to their seats

I could hear folks mumbling about their grief

I couldn’t smell the room of fresh flowers

Only acknowledged that they were there And stared at the arrangement

Numb

Shock this day had come

The first to arrive was me

Even though seats weren’t assigned

I knew which one was mine

In the front row at the funeral

I thought I’ve sa...

“Well it’s impossible to stop your thoughts. It’s more about being present.”

“Mm… I tried. Hated it. Being still like that. I can’t! I do it wrong or something.”

I rolled my eyes and sighed with frustration as Vee and I exited the nail shop.

I know her better than anyone. Our friendship has survived Destiny Child splitting, her brothers fight with police brutality, Katrina, and a pandemic.

...

To have my phone number is an absolute privilege and honor

You’ve made a list of a few good men

It’s to be handled with care

Never shared

Nor misused

No Bug-a-Boos

No FaceTimes unannounced

Don’t ever leave me on Read

And don’t call me after 12

Most importantly

never forget rule number 1

Only

And I mean only in a case of emergency shall you call my phone back to back with no answer

That’...

Typically it’s the same bad dream, a reoccurring nightmare. Tonight was slightly different because this time he wasn’t in it. I couldn’t see who was chasing me down the dark winding road. I couldn’t see further than two feet in front of me. I mostly focused on the rhythm of my feet slapping the wet pavement. In sync with my rapid heartbeat. I ran Until the ground left from beneath me.

And then I ...