Brandon S. Roy's work has appeared in a numerous journals, including the Ottawa Arts Review, Loch Raven Review, Origami Condom, Pedestal Magazine and Pocket Change. His first book, Chaos Love Theory, has yet to be released. He currently resides in southwest Louisiana.

No Heat

I have never forgotten that night and the girl's hurt questions - Lillian Smith

Our apartment is an island.
We have lived her a year and there is no end in sight.
We're content. Different neighbors come and go with
the seasons. Yet, we remain. We tolerate the lady
next door who has lost her hearing. Our televisions
race a daily trifecta for dominince. The lady, two
doors down, had a gun. Only used once. We didn't
hear her over the joropo music blasting downstairs.
The old woman across from us said we were
nosy. I told her we're not, just a little self-centered
is all. She told us about the woman. We smiled and
laughed. We were not amused.

______________________________________________________________________________

New Beginnings

I dreamed that I killed you last night.
You were being nice to me and I
couldn't stand it. I tried to protect
you from me. I did. You're a
waste. So I saved you by murdering
you.

I always wanted to know what it was
like to kill someone. Burn your body
to ash. Mix it with potting soil and maybe
plant a new tree in the backyard. Something
to remember you by.

________________________________________________________________________________

Drama in the Kitchen

I don't know what
the microwave told you
but you do not stick
your socks in there.

How is it possible
to keep looking down
at the stars and think
I'm never going home
one night.

This mall is just a hallway
and our kitchen needs more
than just shoe stores and food
Note: The sink and the fridge
are no longer speaking.