Southern Charm and Hospitalityby Sabrina Dawkins Lazy Southern days, trees waving at me in the wind.Friendly trees? No. Trees aren’t friendly. But the wind makes it seem that way. It’s amazing what culture and upbringing can doto a person.In the North, people are a bluras you catch them in your peripheryscurrying to their destination, horizontal

Death or Devil? by Sabrina Dawkins You glared at me on that dark street behind a building. I didn’t see you,the glow of yellow eyes.You followed me, but I didn’t see you.I thought you were impersonal, a natural conclusion after many yearsor an unfortunate accident. I didn’t know you had feetand eyesand thoughtsand intentions. I

Exposed Dross Stuck on the Surfaceby Sabrina Dawkins I criticize in hopes of making better in this crucible bowl of earth. Our faults can outweigh our virtues,and that was my condition. But God’s fire purifies gold, so choose removal of the dross. The dross among the people is impure,stands for nothing, believes in nothingbut filling

I Am Sorry, High School Friendby Sabrina Dawkins Remember when we used to walk together to our classes? In my mind, I wanted them to think you were mine. No nosy questions, because then I’d be forced to reveal the truth: No. As long as the possibility, the curiosity floated in their heads,I could live

The Soul’s Music Liftby Sabrina Dawkins You get inside.Like a bubbleI feel a rise lightweight and free.And I’m in that bubble as it bounces against top inner skulltrying to go higher.Involuntarily I’m on tiptoes.Then I baby hop in vain, trying to give exitto this rising sensation. My eyebrows lift,eyes look upto set me free. I

A Shaky Foundation of Music Speakersby Sabrina Dawkins I rode home on skis made of two rectangular speakers,asphalt skiing on the back of my cardown the street to my childhood home broke.It was a dangerous ride.I almost lost grip of harness twice. I’d followed the music to my last location,the rumbling road below cushioned by

The N-Wordby Sabrina Dawkins I took that sword you used to defeat meand I made another hole in my chest.I didn’t bother to pull it out this time—I couldn’t anyway because I lay dying, and with a grin on my face. I was clever.I took that word you used to pierce and harmand I used

A Siren Dancing in Placeby Sabrina Dawkins Head bobbing, arms flapping, hips wigglingyou tricked me with your moves. I thought you were going somewhere,but you were working up a sweat in place. Fancy clothes, seductive and tightyou curved your body like a snake, your navel twisting and turning trying to keep pace. Your legs opened

High School Jocks by Sabrina Dawkins A musty empty weight room,a fog of stench suffocates air. The warmth of sweat dripped off bodiesnow hangs in humid air. Where have the bodies gonethat exerted till sweat wet the floor,that stank and moaned and achedfor the body that could throw a ball? They lifted weights for hours,talking,

Enemy from my Pastby Sabrina Dawkins I saw your mouth spread and assumed it was a smile.But even dogs show their teeth. Then you started up with the quick-fire questions.I’m sorry, are you a friend or an enemy? Your forehead wrinkled and you leaned in so not to miss a breath of my reply. I