I wake up hot and sticky. The world around me has been melted away and all that is left are pools of lava and rock. My scream is over powered by those screaming around me. Everything burns, from head to toe I feel ignited by heat. I try to breathe and look around more. I don’t see anyone, but I can imagine from the screams what is happening. I try to stand up and a pain shoots through my left arm....

My room has been scrubbed from roof to floor

I cleaned it from morning til night

Soon is the time the pain goes away

And not a single soul is in sight

I run a hot bath and slowly climb in

It’s silly I know this thought

I’m in this warm bath and all I can think

Is do I add bubbles or not

I decided to add them to relax my soul

I watch as they glisten and glow

I reach with my toes to turn the wate...

I’ve been out of work for 4 months. My boyfriend, Jimmy, took me in after I left my parents house. He doesn’t say it, but I can tell that not working has been bothering him. He’s in his first year of law school and has a lot on his plate. I’ve tried so hard to find a job, but no one has called me back. I see an open job interview for a bar downtown. I know for sure if I can get in front of the own...

As I carried in my last box, I felt a wave of accomplishment wash over me. I finally moved out of my parents house and couldn’t wait to enjoy my newfound freedom. I sat the box down and plopped on the couch. Fresh paint filled my nose and the sunlight danced on the walls around me. The nagging urge to unpack screamed in the back of my mind, but I wanted to take in this moment forever. I let myself...