Before the Arsonist

There is no always. —Susanna Sonnenberg Jump from the loft into plump timothy mound, forked there by a bent uncle, ready to feed piebald Holsteins, delicate Jerseys, oxen. Green sneezes, gasps. Mice scatter, chased by the brindle barn cat, snatching as her kittens mewl behind the highest bale. Light striped with motes that stick to […]

Passages

Ample make this bed, / Make this bed with awe—                     —Emily Dickinson Emergencies are common things. Today the cat brought home a tufted titmouse with seed-black eyes, breast skin stripped, heart pulsing, body bare as a tongue. My lover swabs the gore with Q-tips and […]