Insanity in a Relaxed Scalp by Sabrina Dawkins Earth is a ball because I read it in a book.But I don’t fall off. A bowl holds water so it doesn’t spill out. But pour water on a balland watch it slide off. Tiny coils cover my head,keeping it warm and drybut I burn my scalp

False Teacherby Sabrina Dawkins How much did they pay you for my soul?I hope a lot, but I’m sure the number would disappoint me.Did they give you the clothes tooas props to help with the illusionthat you were someone who identified with me? I’m a sucker for a good entertainer, I must admit.Grew up watching

Good Teacherby Sabrina Dawkins You found me with false information. You could’ve judged me, but you were patient. You probably did judge me at firstand wondered if I would ever choose youas my teacher. Well, I did, eventually. And this made you happy, but it saved my life. You never forced me to take your

The Difference Between Earthworms and Gummy Worms by Sabrina Dawkins The difference between gummy worms and earthworms is that earthworms enrich and aerate the soil, but gummy worms lay and rot in the soil, doing nothing but releasing questionable ingredients into the dirt. Hidden from sight, earthworms continuously work, helping the soil become a hospitable

Waste for Gainby Sabrina Dawkins Protruding belly, smelling of cigarette smoke,hair that belongs to someone else, never seen wearing the same outfit twice. I hear heavy banging on my door. A strange face greets me. I feel mild terror. Familiar strangersince you only speak to me shortly before you want something. Do you think I

Nothing in a Pretty Packageby Sabrina Dawkins You’re used to getting nothing. A skilled salesman sold you air. No sign on it saying “buyer beware” of my tricks and my schemes.With dreams and future dreams I populate your mind so your thoughts grab hold of me, only me, so that I become both emptiness and

Devil’s Musicby Sabrina Dawkins I judge the worth of what I consume by how it changes me internally.Audible trauma: bangs, booms of relentless bass pushed me down to a dungeon in my stomach. Didn’t know hell could be reached while alive. My soul lives in forehead, then neck, then chest, then slides down to navel;with

The Antifatherby Sabrina Dawkins “What’s your name?” he asked.“He’s the same,” I thought.Beer smokes off clothes into air. He waited till sun started sinking to ask. No light to expose wrinkles. “Where you from?” he askedas he creeped towards mecomforted by the sheet of dim. No wisdom in his hands, nor hello to a friend.

Churchby Sabrina Dawkins You are mocked, church-goer.Benchwarmer, Holy Spirit is not there.You are mocked, tither.Offering plate-filler, Holy Spirit is not there. Whatever became of “still small voice”that said, “What doest thou here, Elijah?” Church is an open book,turned to page last left off, so digest the word as did Ezekiel. What’s sweeter to ear,is it

A Dangerous Gameby Sabrina Dawkins Fashionable and tight, clothes hugging me as if before a long goodbyefrom long-distance friend. Give part of paycheckto fill upwith throbbing rhythmvibrating my bones. Put me in a sweet trance. There with two friends.But do they know we are foes?If he approaches her first, it’s war. Clothing to hug in