by Kayla Blau
The women I work with despise the word victim.
Court documents, medical exams, grant proposals all name us victims of domestic violence, us battered women.
We brand-new ourselves survivors
How much punch in the word,
Survivor.
Tag Archives: South End Stew
South End Stew: Delusional King
by Erik Cornelius
Delusional king
Sedated jewels
Hidden jagged crown
Fashioned for hive-minded clowns
South End Stew: For the Love of August
by Roy Ayers
For the love of August, the ending of summer the beginning of fall.
Oh I remember conversation on the Ave.
Him smoking cigar and quite chatty when he had time.
When he was in the zone, just leave the man alone.
South End Stew — “Grillz: To Love the Boy with an Endless Glow”
by Leija Farr
I want the gold toothed boy.
The fine, iridescent boy.
The boy who isn’t afraid to submerge a mouth in sparkle.
Continue reading South End Stew — “Grillz: To Love the Boy with an Endless Glow”
South End Stew: Colour
by K.D. Senior
Months pass, so many and so few,
as we join lips in vivid colour,
the closer I get to you.
Continue reading South End Stew: Colour
South End Stew: On Becoming White
by Kayla Blau
When my grandparents arrived in Chicago
Penniless but pale
My grandfather’s hands stroked piano keys to forget how he had gotten here
Traded Stars of David for a U.S. Navy badge
Refugee turned toy soldier
Continue reading South End Stew: On Becoming White
South End Stew: Tears
by K.D. Senior
Those who meet must part,
so they treasured every meeting,
because passionate love is short,
and happiness fleeting.
The war of attrition ends
with nothing left on either side.
nostalgia turns a bitter heart to stone,
whenever they look behind…
Continue reading South End Stew: Tears
South End Stew: Dust
by Leija Farr
Dust is dead skin cells
Bobbing against wood into a godless
corner where the sun is never soft.
No grandmother to explain
cobwebs,
draping over cabinets.
Continue reading South End Stew: Dust
South End Stew: For The Boys Looking For Sugar
by Leija Farr
“Put your lips where my body creases”
Do not expect fruit where a bloodline
no longer lives.
Continue reading South End Stew: For The Boys Looking For Sugar
South End Stew: Samuel Taylor’s Cool Ranch Stanzas
by Topaz
Music is my Albatross,
Pulling on my neck, dragging down my soul.
Through the orange yellows of Dante’s inferno.
To the steel blue fires, the true gates of hell.
Continue reading South End Stew: Samuel Taylor’s Cool Ranch Stanzas