Abandoning Ship

Those looking in from the outside viewed her as strong, smart, someone who had control of her life and never lost it. That was true, she never did lose itーbecause she never gave anyone the chance. Those looking in only saw her as the one who always came out on top, but that was because they never saw who she left on the bottom to get there. Leaving before she could be left, keeping everyone at arm's length, abandoning ship the moment she felt herself losing control. But no one ever saw how lonely it was; always leaving, always running.From Guest Contributor Kelsey Swancott

Kelsey is a graduate of St. John Fisher College, majoring in English, with a concentration in writing while also being an editor in the campus literary magazine Angles.She is furthering her education by attending SUNY Brockport for her master’s in English, specializing in creative writing. Following graduation, she is interested in working in the editing and publishing field.

Last Night

Still tired, I wake in the darkness. In the distance, I hear a train and the rumble of traffic. I strain for the sound of your soft breathing next to me. An aeroplane passes overhead, now I hear the humming of the refrigerator. Eyes closed, I can feel the heat of you an arm’s length away; just an arm's length. I reach out to touch you; I hear the angry hiss. Still not forgiven. My heart turns to stone when I glimpse your fury through clenched fingers. Everything turns to stone, hard stone. Hard words echo in the night air.

From Guest Contributor David Rae