war does not rage outside these fragile windows i lay my head to sleep lulled by privileged safety of these four walls of soothing green roar of tanks exploding bombs mercifully distant bellows of rage of defiance wails of grief of terror dying whispers belonging to other voices other rooms this laden night © 2022 … Continue reading Other Voices, Other Rooms – Christine E. Ray
I do not have walls enough to hang the elegies we stitch our hands moving rhythmically in and out of stretched cloth to calm troubled minds sooth erratic beating of heavy hearts floss flows silken through pierced eyes of silver needles shining light upon shared humanity seaming connection between us across countless miles a dove … Continue reading Stitcher’s Elegy – Christine E. Ray
I am living on caffeine and anxiety my diet nutrient- and comfort- poor occasional sips of hope curdle instantly against inflamed walls of my leaky gut hands pressed tightly to my abdomen I fight to contain the acid wash of my rage grief dread I am living disability check to disability check furtively shoulders hunched … Continue reading October 26, 2020
it is a stretch for me to reach out across this shifting distance this shaky ground hand extended toward you a journey across a deep chasm for me to say aloud even in a whisper I need I want I do not like to need to want to admit any vulnerability any Achilles heel my rigid armor … Continue reading Vulnerability
I stand before you more naked more stripped down than I have ever been vulnerable unsteady I have always thought falling in love would be a gentle drop backwards gracefully landing into piles of autumn leaves freshly fallen snow but this is mad uncontrolled cartwheeling free-fall tumbling I no longer know up from down breathless … Continue reading Falling
you sharpen your words into knives lovingly caressing blade with whetting stone until it can split hairs your goal to dismember into assorted parts a skilled and enthusiastic butcher you long to reduce women to arms legs feet hands breasts pelvis head mouth taped firmly shut blindfolded to hide reproach judgment in our eyes to … Continue reading Objectification
Brave & Reckless 