Hammer falls. (Hold my breath.) Hammer falls. (Hold my breath.) Case adjourned guiltyguiltyguilty I am not. I did not. I didn’t. Rough hands grab my shoulders. Strong hands lead me away…. How? Why? Have mercy. Run back. Plead. Fall to my knees. Plead. Run back. Don’t. Wouldn’t help. Don’t. Wouldn’t help. WOULD NOT […]
Bright-eyed and ghostly white, she stares back at me. Let’s be friends, the first and last words she ever spoke. Let’s be friends. After that, a blur, A warm hand in mine, leading me across Open fields strewn with violet flowers A cascading red sun exploding like fireworks, Food rich like satin running through my […]
Black and grey, peeling fire-charred walls. My defenses destroyed, turned to dust. I never thought hate was a thing before. Go along to get along, always my style. I believed in – I trusted – you. I let myself – stupid so stupid. People warned me, You know I don’t listen, never listen. Photo drops […]
Pink cotton candy swirls and balloons that sound like bubble gum music when they pop. Thinking of you, the good that you do makes me smile. Thank you.
Half-glimpsed not seen in silver mirrors, Cutting my nerves like glass. I have let myself be trapped too long In strange, fantastical places. Nightmares, dreamscapes. Lonely, dark-eyed child whispers. I took the balloon, the half-torn ticket, Climbed aboard. Belts clicked into place. Sometimes fear is a good thing, hands gripping a steering wheel, children dozing […]
Let my people go. Not the kind of thing one hears Often waiting in line to check out groceries. Curious, despite myself, I peer. I see Them, the trio of half-washed, darker-skinned children, illegal immigrants cheap staff whatever Cost-cutting measures. Hastily, I turn away 2 for 5, is that a good deal after all? I […]
Found you Standing there, blood-stained knife in hand, Preparing to stab it in again. Bruises mark my body where you Threw me to the ground. I tried to stop you. I tried. Not realizing, that must be it, You are a doctor Performing emergency surgery. Soon You will see to me as well. Fine. Everything […]
Red terracotta brick silently strong below Porcelain that clinks, prettily. No one notices. Tiny feet Sneak across the dusty floor. Grab a cookie from the plain red jar While silk clad figures Debate over tea whether The way things have always been done still works. Behind a shadowy screen, wide eyes watch The show, Like […]
Brilliant You think you’re so smart, And you are. No, seriously, girl, you’re (unfortunately) going to Have to cope with being Brilliant at a time when It’s like making a political statement To Be Smart. To be A woman, smart and…. There doesn’t need to be an “and.” Shine
Anyone (It’s) Me not just anyone I try to be real in a world where- The existential bleak of suburban wastelands Float on the bubble of Can barely afford Until pop, and we’re left with- Ball bounces on pavement, Child gone. Winds howl across deserts. A shadow sweeps by. Vultures hunt. Piercing sunlight winks. Trying […]
Anne Higa 