Thanksgiving

by Kathleen MacGregor On Thanksgiving, when we all come together, gathering up our stories and our stances in our arms, like crops from the field; When we come bearing insistent separateness, proud individuality, spilling our armloads clumsily all over each other, because we have come with more than we can carry, there is a grief. The grief pours down from the middle of us and pools on the ground at our feet. We...read more

Psychopathic Killer

image by Richard Vernon I am the psychopathic killer. Do you dare know me? I have kept myself well hidden In order to do my dirty work You have not wanted To see me here. I do my work in the shadow. Unseen, unheard, unfelt For what I am. I ride on the tail of rage The whip at the end That cuts into fresh tender flesh Lashing out quickly and deeply Leaving before I can be found. You haven’t known me Though you are...read more

Lonely One

You’re not alone by confusedvision It’s so lonely in this place. No one comes to visit here. They don’t even know I live here. They don’t know I exist. I’ve tried to let them know but It’s as if they shun me. My voice isn’t very loud, That’s true. I haven’t had the courage To shout and let my presence be felt. I haven’t wanted to shout, It feels too much, Too...read more

Easier

by Kathleen MacGregor Something’s bothering me. In the dim, cold bathroom this morning, I stubbed my toes as I was rushing between getting dressed and a time that hasn’t happened yet. A time later in the day, the week, the month. Almost immediately, holding my foot, and offering my breath to the pain, to say sorry, I took it as a reminder to come present. Aloud I said, “Thank you. Thank...read more

Peaches

It’s later, now. After the peaches and the pie crust and after Dad said he has lymph cancer. It’s after spending 3 hours today blanching, peeling, slicing and spicing peaches I bought on Tuesday and placed in the brown paper bag, on the Mexican tile floor. Beneath the side board they rested into themselves for four days. Until their scent dripped thickly from the air and sweetened us with sunset...read more