Rita and I are Mystery Sisters, buoyant on the porch, taking turns being Little Elk, make-believing we’re savvy. Our game, equal parts Saturday Westerns and Christmas outfits is fake six-shooters, leatherette belts, tight-tooled boots. We sweat under our almost-buckskin. We suffer our fake Stetsons. Rita and I are blood tight, ride Schwinn stallions. We reckon … Continue reading Mystery Sisters
by Wendy Taylor Carlisle
I was a kid when we hit Mile-High suburbs, carcasses of Winnebagos strung out behind us on the plains, the mile-long gas lines coming in view. Doubt ate me like flowers. I’d seen the scalded girl, the jungle on fire. I asked, what is there to fight for? What explains this warfare? Shush, said Aunt … Continue reading Denver
by Wendy Taylor Carlisle
from Steve Dunn, Riffs and Reciprocities Religion is proof a good story’s a powerful thing. What we say about our past becomes our past. Blessed are the generous who keep enough for themselves… The punishment for being good is a life of goodness. What we say about our past becomes our past. I am the … Continue reading Cento Pantoum
by Wendy Taylor Carlisle
