“Door #2” by L. J. Walker


Things you should’ve said
or said twice or said
every day until they sunk in
too deep
say yes this time
say orange say millimeter say
bamboo
say anything and mean it or
say everything and mean I
just didn’t want it to be quiet any longer I
just wanted the silence to die
raspberry rosemary rochambeau
bumblebee bubblegum bleat
why don’t the floorboards creak anymore
why don’t the stairs moan under our feet
peppermint juniper radish July
saucepan, simmering
soup.


L. J. Walker was born and raised on the west coast. She loves words, party supply stores, and black shoes.