The end of summer is near. I sit in the shade out backand listen to the lastof the summer sounds.Noises of insects soundinglike frogs in the afternoon.Kids are walking homefrom school, leaves are preparing to changecolors soon. What to do?Nothing but observethe small airplane flyingoverhead before reminding myself it is best not to move myContinue reading “Summer Before Fall”
Author Archives: Kelly Severseike
No Fireworks in September
A single sound shoots through the summer night. It’s loud and fast and gone before I can comprehend what is happening. There are no rippling sounds that fade into the darkness. No colors flying across the sky. No screams for help. As I’m writing this on a Sunday afternoon, I’ve only heard this sound twice,Continue reading “No Fireworks in September”
One Year with Abnormally Puffy Eyes
I was in a McDonald’s bathroom somewhere in Iowa.I was exhausted from a weekend full of family time and walking around the Minnesota State Fair.My dad and I had left a few hours before dawn and began the long drive back home.As soon as we got on the road, I instantly fell back asleep, holdingContinue reading “One Year with Abnormally Puffy Eyes”
XXVI
I’m older than I was but I still feel quite young.Birthdays aren’t as celebratory the older I get. It’s just another age that takes a whole yearTo adjust to saying, only to have to change itWhen my birthday comes along again.There’s nothing special about turning 26 Except for health insurance and my license expires.As aContinue reading “XXVI”
Always a Kid
For the majority of people, no matterHow old you get, the dynamic withYour family members never change.Your dad is still your dad, mom is stillYour mom, siblings are still your siblings.Years can pass and as soon as you get backInto the same room or are stuck togetherFor a significant amount of time, it’s like TimeContinue reading “Always a Kid”
I Don’t Remember Your Name But I Do Remember Where You Live
If you take to me some place new, then tell me to find my way backwithout using a map or phone, I can do it.I could not be paying attention,distracted by the screen in my handor the music I’m listening to,and I’d still be able to find the streetI’ve only been on once before.I canContinue reading “I Don’t Remember Your Name But I Do Remember Where You Live”
Morning Crossword
The open screen door lets the cool morning air into the kitchen. Water is heating in a pot that’s on a circle plugged into the wall sitting on the counter. I open my computer and do a New York Times’ crossword puzzle as I wait for the boiling point. When I hear the circle turnContinue reading “Morning Crossword”
Patterns of Summer Rain
I look out to the west to see the mountains have vanished underneath a blanket of heavy rain clouds. For hours, I wait for the rain to fall. Sometimes, it comes and passes within minutes. Other times, like today, it lingers for hours, teasing its arrival while never actually making its way to the plains.
II
There’s a split in my reality every morning and night. When what I see doubles into this hallucination like state, my brain is confused. My eyes don’t work together for longer than twelve hours a day. Individually, they’re fine. Left is down and right is up. If I cover one, my vision is single andContinue reading “II”
Summer Showers
When the clouds come overhead in the afternoon, remember that all days cannot be sunshine and blue skies. You can’t expect perfection when you know there will be rain. It’s okay, you can’t hear allthe good news you want in one day.
Kelly Severseike 