Author Archives: Emily Olsen

“I was the best mum you ever had” Remember the time we camped in the tent in the back yard and I read the BFG to you and did silly accents and we giggled about the ‘radio squeeker and the telly-telly bunkin box’ and we cuddled to keep warm and I didn’t think I couldContinue reading ““I was the best mum you ever had””

Bella Bella (No. 2) this place has its own law it erases the city shows us the brightest stars your reflection this place is magic its outflow winds bend trees cracking and splitting time beckoning us home

Bella Bella (No. 1) for Kevin the last place on earth bring back dreams life wonder jump into blue ocean silence fall from green mountains lift clouds storm surge gust beneath wings carry plumage to Chief domes delicate down feather breathe cedar onto woven family elevate spirit dance, drum implant song on soul stars onContinue reading “Bella Bella (No. 1) for Kevin”

depression, and other things that make you uncomfortable If I were visible you’d see bruising on my brainstem there would be no skin the open wounds of my thoughts resemble black eyes lesions on lesions If I were visible you’d inject sanity in my veins a vile of happy administered at will If I wereContinue reading “depression, and other things that make you uncomfortable”

Backstabbing those unkind words slip out wielding daggers as they escape my parted lips my heart retracts as I stumble to recover sewing up the frayed edges the spilling out of my shitty-ness I see it now the criticism the judgement my error but the hurt is done and the worst part is you weren’tContinue reading “Backstabbing”

insomnia what is it about these wee hours the time heaven is closest to earth where stations of uncertainty beckon us to thought? what mighty outpouring of creation swirls its decree about our souls calling all force to imagination? where is sleep in all of this, if not a dream? behold the exquisite beauty ofContinue reading “insomnia”

Sockeye Oh splendorous sockeye! how can I replace your red flesh offerings, your salty silver scales? How can I dance to your memory? The memory I hold in my cells, the memory of my wildness, the part of me that is not human. Oh splendorous sockeye!I sit at the tableof a bountiful ocean,knowing the fastingContinue reading “Sockeye”

Little Sparrow Little Sparrow Breathe the air of this garden. Amidst the shrubs your beating ruby heart, your delicate wings, a sapphire song. Little Sparrow My love is a formidable flight, a gentle whisper, a wish atop a golden branch. Little Sparrow Remember the Happy Prince? Tell me, are you not that swallow? For IContinue reading “Little Sparrow”

I Hope You Finish That Novel – for Coranne I’ve earmarked a place in me and I want to swallow your skylark song how else can I wipe my plate clean of that lanscape, the rolling hills of your words, the taste of your imagination.

Ghost I say “Good morning” as we pass in the hall. We’ve passed in the hall every day for nearly eight months now. You never say anything back. Surely by now you recognize me, surely by now you’ve noticed my security pass my new shoes as you look down to the floor lower your eyesContinue reading “Ghost”

Moment Count the times you turned to the sun at daybreak and wished for more sunrises an easy Sunday an evening swim the last time you were carried in from the car the body holds all knowledge of things you leave behind

Breakup You never stay for tea, always rushing to the next thing to satisfy your ego. Always the opposite direction of me, always regret. Your distracted fingers mimic drum beats on your thighs. You want me to stop talking, I get it, I see you eyeing your shoes at the door. Remember when we watchedContinue reading “Breakup”

The Mudflats at Milnthorpe what if I told you catching an eel is simple? that all you need are toes and a few carefree hours in the mudflats at Milnthorpe what if I told you freckles aren’t earned? that the simple gesture of being a kid gives you such things what if I told youContinue reading “The Mudflats at Milnthorpe”