Mary K. Stewart

From the Back Row

Did you know that black coffee can mold? 
Her words somehow became my memory.  

She left us sweat, she left visions, she left blood. 
Blamed the wind; claimed sinus pressure.
So the story goes. 

There I am, ass over tea kettle, 
tracing with my thumbs the cracks in the binding,
preventing the paralysis of learned helplessness. 

I spit when you cross to keep off bad luck.

Author Bio

Dr. Mary K. Stewart is an Associate Professor of Literature & Writing Studies and the General Education Writing Coordinator at California State University San Marcos.