Melissa, Oh?

There was something about Jason* that caught my eye the moment I saw him. I was working as the receptionist at the Jeep dealership, and he was a Jeep owner.
And when Jason’s ice-blue eyes looked into mine and he told me he was bartending at a restaurant in Fort Mill and that I should come see [...]

Was cleaning out my drafts folder and found this post, written in November but never published. I need to get on the ball! Here it is, just imagine it’s right around Thanksgiving that you are reading this …
It’s impossible to describe what exactly was going through my head as I opened the door to the [...]

You may have noticed the links to poetryassignment.com at the bottom of many of my poems lately. If you haven’t checked out the site yet, you really should! Still in the beginning stages but we have so many great poets on there already. Not a great poet? It’s ok – come anyway! It’s amazing what [...]

The crinkled pages crumple under my fingers
as I ball them up, one by one, and wish I had
a match to make them unreadable.
Fiercely I rip them, but not fast enough
And I am here with a page of a first kiss to remind me.
I cry and push the tears away and I’m angry that I have to
keep wiping my [...]

A memory
It is 1995, and it’s picture day. The senior-year me has just been officially captured by camera, and I walk down the steps of the school auditorium, happy to be out of class and wondering how my photo looks. Sitting in one of the auditorium seats is Brian. I have been friends with Brian [...]

Stairs are no object in this
twisted game as heel slips
off concrete
Let’s call it an accident
Dog leash wraps
around ankles and calves
Canines out of harm’s way
and you are, too.
It’s not my fault – I was tied up, don’t you see?
If I tumble we all fall down.
Hollow threats but you know they mean nothing
threaten to expose your words to [...]

In honor of Nanowrimo, (or perhaps to keep myself from cheating and using old material) I am publishing some short stories I wrote in college. Let me repeat: I wrote in college. Apologies in advance.
I still remember the first time I ever pondered the concept of a one night stand.  April called to tell me [...]

“Is it too soon?” he asked,
and the look on his face was genuine
but about 5 minutes too late.
“Too soon for what?” she retorted,
and she rolled her eyes.
“Too soon for you to break my heart?
Yes, I suppose it is.”
“Then I’ll be back,” he promised.

Even Italian coffee doesn’t warm this heart
today because I drink it alone
He is in the next room
but he is not you
He is a tea-drinker, may not be a perfect fit
but I refuse to let myself think of coffee mugs
yours and mine, together on shelf in our new home
or the smell of fresh roast on Sunday morning
even cappucinos [...]

And what was the point, really,
of waking up in the mornings
She thought as she lay quietly without him
Thinking about trust and promises
and his words burning in her brain
About how it was her – only her, always her
His lies touch her soul as he begs her
To never regret never forget
She laughs at his plea
What else is [...]