invisibility

‘The Day That Never Ends’, by Mariana Gurgis

Anthology /

From our window, the clouds seemed static, frozen. Orange-and-green taxicabs drove through the slush six floors down. Tilly whimpered, buzzed for the nurse, asked for Dilaudid, whispered “good morning.” Swaddled in her sheets, she breathed hard. Phenolic air. She asked me how I was feeling. We lolled in our beds, our mothers asleep in their… Continue Reading ‘The Day That Never Ends’, by Mariana Gurgis

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‘In the name of Pain’, by Suchitra Awasthi

Anthology /

Pain is a pre-requisite to Creation. Take for example the process of bringing forth life. Albeit it is a painful process, nevertheless, it is also a glorious creation. History stands testimony to the fact that all the great ones who ever walked the Earth have risen to great heights walking through the aisle of pain.… Continue Reading ‘In the name of Pain’, by Suchitra Awasthi

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‘She asks if it’s raining outside’, by Jane Hartshorn

Anthology /

She asks if it’s raining outside while she takes my blood pressure. I ask if I should take my shoes off before I stand on the scales. Sharp scratch, she says before she slides in the needle. Four vials of blood, all with sticky labels. I take the foil plate into the cubicle, slip on… Continue Reading ‘She asks if it’s raining outside’, by Jane Hartshorn

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‘Shooting stars’, by Marion Michell

Anthology /

Worst days pain ricochets like shooting stars with pinball crushes. Oh the love! Releases fiery goo when ramming rib, tooth, bone. Skull reels alone; body razed by frequent flyer flares, flags pushed here there, declaring consternation zones. Each smart begets another, emulates, and brass bands march in new-laid grooves, playing their loudest, most discordant tunes.… Continue Reading ‘Shooting stars’, by Marion Michell

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‘D is for Dysesthesia’, by Gillian Shirreffs

Anthology /

        D is for Dysesthesia It’s also for dictionary. I’m very fond of mine. I was given it as a gift in 1993. Emblazoned on the front are the following statements: • The foremost dictionary of current English: now thoroughly revised and expanded • 120,000 entries and 190,000 definitions • Over 20,000… Continue Reading ‘D is for Dysesthesia’, by Gillian Shirreffs

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