I've heard a lot of "trying to stay positive," "I prefer to think positive," etc., so far, and that's cool. I get it. But, for me, sometimes telling myself to stay positive feels like gaslighting.
Category: Musings
Meandering Paris
I found my old Plan de Paris in the garage this weekend. The size of a pocket bible. Something about the energy of this book has made me keep it all these years. Or maybe it's just the sheer magnificence of how it's organized that makes me hold onto it. Or maybe I just don't want to let go of that part of my youth, the first time I escaped my childhood and ventured beyond California, alone.
Poems are Made by ‘Fools’ Like Him, My Dad, 95 Years Old
My dad is 95 Years Old. He will be 96 in December. I asked him recently if he'd ever thought of being a poet. I was surprised to hear his answer.
Rant
Rant.
verb 1. speak or shout at length in a wild, impassioned way.
“she was still ranting on about the unfairness of it all”
synonyms: fulminate, go on, hold forth, vociferate, sound off, spout, pontificate, bluster, declaim.
Sometimes I like to speak at length in a wild, impassioned way. Sometimes I like to shout. I’ve found it makes people uncomfortable. Passion, unless you are a man, tends to evoke thoughts such as “I wonder if she’s off her meds?”
Prey
Poem originally published under the name Marla Carlton on September 23, 2016 in Rat's Ass Review Love and Ensuing Madness
I walk into the club.
I see you at the end of the bar.
I move closer.
You smile.
In the Beginning
Poem originally published in Rat's Ass Review, Love and Ensuing Madness under the name Marla Carlton.
Play me, Tempt me, Pursue me
Go ahead. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. I am here for your enjoyment.
I won’t break.
A Costume Conundrum
Not a nurse, not a barmaid
not a cavegirl, not a hooker
Published: Rat’s Ass Review
I am thrilled to announce that two of my poems have been published in Love and Madness, a collection on Rat’s Ass Review, an online poetry journal. Please take a look if you are so inclined. The poems “In the Beginning” and “Prey” both cover the broad topic of Love along with a little bit of Madness. I hope you enjoy reading them. I know I enjoyed writing them.
You can read my poems and many other great poets here.
Overcoming My Childhood from the Daughter of an Alcoholic Father
Do you worry about how much someone drinks? Hmm. Yes I do. I don't worry about how much I drink but I do worry about how much my husband might drink. Lucky for me my husband doesn't drink all that much, so I don't have to worry too often. But, I am upset when someone is drunk at a party, especially if I'm not drinking.
PMS
Listen. I feel like I’m quickly going crazy. Not slow crazy quick crazy.
Fuck!
The urgency to get into the bath is palpable. It’s the rain. The rain makes me this way.
Ring. Ring. My mom. My dad. Ring Ring. My mom. My dad. A friend I just called
