TRAVELS

I used to dream

of visiting faraway paradise-adventures–

Belize, Japan, take me to explore Africa–

but now,

my lover’s arms seem to more than satisfy my fantasies.

Is it the exotic odors of his peach-warm skin?

The dangerous canyons where his body presses against mine?

I may never know,

but these I do–

peace, calm, wholeness.

And like this, I may yet

have my travels–

only like this,

I will have another by my side.

SECRETS

I know why

you’re kid’s still stoned,

you’re uncle’s gambled away his savings, his home.

I know the reason, I know, I know.

But I don’t know the answer,

and it’s cold in my bones.

I know why,

you’re neighbor’s a mess,

why her daughter picks at her meals, so fixed, so obsessed,

starving herself as if she’s been possessed–

but I don’t know the answer,

and it makes me depressed.

I know the secrets,

of the misguided, miscast,

But I don’t know the answer to their puzzle-piece pasts,

or how long their sorrows will last,

No, I don’t know the answer,

and it stings to the last,

No I don’t know the answer,

and it stings to the last.

Maria Petty is a student and aspiring writer currently living in Austin, Texas. She has written as a hobby for most of her life but is only beginning to dip her metaphorical toes into the ocean of query letters, manuscript submissions, and magazine publications. At the time you are reading this, she is probably out living, loving, and learning–either that or hunched over a notebook scribbling down as many of her adventures as she can.