“Ill at ease 4a” © Edward Michael Supranowicz

 

push limbo

adjusting to the dark, irises expand
– the pillow damp from my head sweat – brain sweat

Think; tomorrow another day of wait
– I know less than yesterday and tomorrow – push limbo

push myself into nothing, fingers in my eyes
– fluid, mongering, filthy hopelessness – I want to be stronger

Google told me the Zoloft would help, I’d sleep
– waking up three times a night, wide eyed – soaked wet

Doc, can you see me again? it’s the pills
– b-b-been back, twice this week, sorry – it’s me

Morning and bad eggs, how’s my mouth?
– my tongues a bit tied, apologies – bent steel

Daylight dissipating, copper sky, then night
– It’s Cymbalta now but Google says it’s bad – I just want sleep

Hey, morning, run your fingers over my body in the shape of bent rays
– is that a lump? push deep, what am I doing? – rotten apple

check the time, check the fridge, copper sky, then night
– crunch the rotten apple, brain sweat, push limbo – I want to be
          stronger

 

Ruth Niemiec is a writer of non-fiction, fiction and poetry in English and Polish. Ruth received her BA with a major in Professional Writing from Victoria University. Her non-fiction has recently appeared on or in Dumbo Feather, ABC Everyday, Mamamia and She Rose Revolution. Her poetry has recently appeared or is forthcoming in Pigeon, fly!, Coffee People, ARC Journal, Farside Review, Rhodora, Anti-Heroin Chic, Block Party Magazine, Adelaide Magazine, creatures, and other journals and magazines. Her fiction has been published in Parliament, Sad Girls and Minnow. Ruth was the first the place recipient of Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival Microfiction Award in 2022.

Edward Michael Supranowicz is the grandson of Irish and Russian/Ukrainian immigrants. He grew up on a small farm in Appalachia. He has a grad background in painting and printmaking. Some of his artwork has recently or will soon appear in Fish Food, Streetlight, Another Chicago Magazine, The Door Is a Jar, The Phoenix, and The Harvard Advocate. Edward is also a published poet.