A Teen’s Short Guide to Monster Theory by Natalie Lyijynen Preface We have an obsession with monsters. We’re raised with fairy tales, forced to keep our night lights on in fear of the goblins, dragons, and monsters under our beds. Modern monsters, though, aren’t as visually distinguishable. Shrek, an ugly ogre, wins the heart […]
“I’m fine,” Ani says. Rage fills her right hand then overflows like a venti poured in an espresso shot. Steam and heat; hot-headed and mad; bitter black coffee, bitter taste and bitter disposition in a container too small for sensation to yet be realized. Her friend Lena asks: “So was he cheating on you?” Ani
I peek at the moon From deep within the sheets Warmth Comfort The space my body occupies perfectly by itself I try to keep my skin alien to the beams Neck craned Posture compromised To avoid contact But when the light comes through the window Through the shutters It swallows everything in the room Soaks
I will trust her again There is nothing she can do for me to believe that she is not worthy of my loyalty I will make it clear to her that being alone would be devastatingly worse than breaking off our friendship forever I cannot believe I ever thought that she made me weaker by
Together we go into the future unknown, One hand in yours and one in my pocket. “I love you” I’ll say, not to lock down what We have or we made, it’s not mine to own. So I’ll keep your clothes, but you keep your name. We’re side by side, for now we’re close. Stride
My legs felt numb as I stood in place for hour five of my shift with only an eternity to go. Staring into the pea green walls that were supposed to make moms feel like whatever they bought was healthy, I could only see a dried vomit color smeared over the concrete barriers of my
as I try to sleepyou creep into my roomlike wind through a cracked windowor the night on the longest day of the year I try to shut my eyesbut every time I get closeyou’re therebegging me to take a taste I try to breathbut you hold the airI try to screambut the words I can’t
Ope! Sorry (quickly) I’m sorry that I had to ask you what button to push in the elevator. Ahh, sorry… (awkwardly) I’m sorry that I decided to spread my cream cheese at the same time as you. My bad! Sorry… (uncomfortably) I’m sorry that I held open the door while you were still too far
My discomfort smothers my throat A phlegm pooling deep in my chest Choking my words as I try to say them My cheeks burn My lips crack and bleed as they say your name Which exists in a puff of condensation Bridging the gap between us Kissing your chin, your cheeks I can see your
