once upon a time.

by Heather Brager

it would still be dark further west
she would remember plum colored hills
benevolent, cold and drunk

bones removed from their hands
small trinkets nestled, in deep pockets
the memories of declining charm

winds pushed west to east
peaks reflecting in wet eyes
she lived in a glass amongst the ice

it would resurrect in the morning
mist in their mouths and frost on the foothills
they knew this would happen

maybe I was.

by Heather Brager

I thought I'd know your voice
a quality for the radio
back when you fucked girls
you didn’t know in their
dirty upstairs apartments
a few hours before dawn
I wanted to be those girls
but you know I will never be

you told me that we are
the sum of all parts
every choice is our brand
the broken glass on my rug
your hands on my ass
pulling my hair
your car parked down the street
just waiting for me to leave

I recall your profile
as you quickly turned
a short intake of breath
your eyes were mine
I thought I could curl up
inside of your chest
as we stood in my kitchen
waiting for the stew to boil