By Kate Rizzetti Heat prickled against Pat’s skin like Keith’s unshaven kiss. She stood on the crisping grass of her front yard watching butterflies of ash land in the palm of her hand.  The air wrapped around her tight, like a blanket, stifling breath. The swollen flesh of her feet oozed out between the straps of […]

When I move out of our shared home, I take with me my personal items and clothes and not much else. My absence is most noticeable in the near-empty bookshelves. Once double-stacked, the books are now packed into three denominations; for storage (in boxes), for donation (in tote bags), and to read (carried in stacks […]

At daybreak I follow you, search for footholds. Soft dawn light lifts above the horizon, tilts me horizontal. I half-watch the loose ground, half-watch the notch-notch-notch curve of your spine press-press against your shirt as you climb the incline ahead of me, I climb; I am inclined. You lead me to the top of a […]