Sometimes We Both Fight in Wars

By Jane Carlson

I write sometimes we both fight in wars on the bathroom mirror in cherry blossom-pink lipstick, wine-breath-whisper it into his ear while he’s sleeping.

I loved Mia like I loved Jack Kerouac books and blackberries. I loved her like I loved getting my feet dirty and washing them clean in the cool lake water.

I made extra-spicy gin Bloody Marys and we drank them naked in bed. Opened the windows although it was so cold he had started growing out his winter beard like every other man.
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Jane Carlson has worked as a bookseller, copywriter, publicist, reporter, and editor. She lives, writes, takes photographs, and works in public radio in west central Illinois.