toothbrush------------------- Paul Reinken

toothbrush

the spilled mouthwash dripped from under the sink cabinet doors, like moments when screaming stops during an unseen murder (this movie is so bloody). the thick mint odor could have been easily dismissed, (this body must have been dead for weeks) but for the misplaced chalk outlines and yellow tape.

i threw you away, nameless early that morning feet bared with cold, with mirrored smiles and foam. your bristling was faded from whiteness.

i could see you only in reflection, lifetimes broken from crisp plastic and submerged into mint.

replaced, but not forgotten i made you watch from the trash as i cracked plastic and maliciously sneered (the misunderstood villain never wins).

Paul Reinken

death rides a green horse shallow graves shallow wounds i lost myself to what was thought could not be helped in this kind of rain everyone loses at the close of the day

war rides a red horse merely scratches barely there i filled my self with impossible hopes released in the pulse that keeps me sitting here cleaning myself with the plate in place to bleed it all out

in the shower in the rain every decision is a hundred foot ledge

Laura Schwartz