heartwood

bark on the old tree
i would become an artist
just to draw this bark
one day i will be a tree
one day i will feel better

Text by TETIANA ALEKSINA
Image by TONY SINGLE
© All rights reserved 2023

GUEST POST // sustenance by Tremaine L. Loadholt

miss cooking for him
and on most days, for her, too
I cook anyway
energy needs assistance
I thrive on this love

by TREMAINE L. LOADHOLT
© All rights reserved 2022

no one wants to die
no one wants to say goodbye
no one wants to cry
void their headstone of the lie
that there is a by the by

by TONY SINGLE
© All rights reserved 2022

just call me by name
make me turn swiftly around
lift my lowered hood
beneath a leaky awning
make us blab till the rain ends

by TETIANA ALEKSINA
© All rights reserved 2022

pooch, go away now
i know you crave attention
(cannot feel my arms…)
i’m open to your absence
happy to be anywhere