family – Amanda Michelle Brown

Ritual

The holidays used to be about Ritual. / Thanksgiving was A grandiose table and Golden decorations and Pumpkin pie candles; Christmas was The thick smell of a warming fireplace and A friendly Christmas tree and Bing Crosby singing over the stereo. But holidays are different this year. / Mom shaved her head last night. TheContinue reading “Ritual”

MINUTE

Driving down the road My brother says something Can’t remember what But I respond back Rolling my eyes “It’s just a minute.” We continue down the road The stoplight is out I have to turn left Oh crud I look left and right Cars are all around me Like sharks surrounding A shipwrecked boat CarsContinue reading “MINUTE”

GRANTED

What would the mother tell her daughter If she knew she wouldn’t make it home That night? What would the husband say to his wife If he knew he’d never come back Across the sea? What would the teenager tell his brother If he knew they’d never come Face to face again? What would you tell me If you knewContinue reading “GRANTED”