"A Native California newspaper rooted with words and blooming with news"
~ The Editor
·
An Afternoon Affair
*
She sits on the bed naked under
a bath towel draped around her
the quiet voice of her husband
comes from the radio by tie bed
empty phrases live on in silence
the air packed with deceit
*
Behind her back the door
to the bathroom stands open
beyond a pane of clinical whiteness
another door leads to a fire escape
*
While her husband’s voice speaks
a patter of footsteps on the staircase
*
Looking over the shoulder
through the glass panel of frosted door
her husband's head and shoulders develop
a print in a photographers tank
*
Her husband stands there for the longest time
holds the brass knob in his hand
as if in deep thought
then shakes he head slowly
with and air of perplexity
before diminishing on the glass
footsteps retreating
a dull scale of notes
leaves us feeling
guilty and empty
Published on August 1st, 2022
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