Says–not said–because that improper grammar is embedded in half my DNA– that the disrespect I have for her was given to me by my father. She denies this half of me. But here, this woman, my mother, says these words to me on mother’s day. The day of thanks we give to her for life [...]
Hold your breath. I failed a swimming test trying to touch the bottom of the deep end. The swim instructor focused my breathing and rubbed my back. “Ssssshhhhhh—it’s okay. You can breathe now. You can breathe now. Take a deeeeeeeep breath.” This is where you breathe. 5 years ago, my father died– a tidal wave [...]
i have 3 minutes to make an 8-minute walk. i am swimming through creme brulee. the warm, thick pudding drips, cascades through hair, sweetens my skin, flanks, thighs. like small spiders creeping to the safety of the concrete below. later, sugar crust sets in, within the barely air-conditioned steel ride to indiana.
