"Fear in Four Dimensions," "Sketch of Garden City Beer Garden," and "December Morning"
Fear in Four Dimensions
condensed air
moves slowly
pathologically
like thoughts
from neuron
to
neuron
floating
in synapses
we are always
in between
screens
like shadows
beneath
tonight’s
clouds
notoriously
lying to us
as they drift like paint
and
dripping
the
city
cars brake
atop hot pavement
swinging bodies
like water
I don’t want
to die
I don’t want
to die
I don’t want
to die
I don’t want
to die
Sketch of Garden City Beer Garden
The night is defined as
men kiss passionately
sewage drains into noses
cologne simultaneously
the rats crawl beneath
dumpsters in the alley
behind
my friend
irises float like the streetlights
outlining other forms in the dark
until metro smoke ventilation
swallows them whole
into moonlight humidity
naked in the night;
we have a full pint
conversation
with the dripping water
atop the wooden picnic table
in the beer garden
with three-fourths of a smile.
December Morning
Rain as grey as your skin
defines the softer parts of hands
that scrape along brick buildings
like tearing paper.
The raincoats suction to bodies
hoods collect faces
hands are pocketed
as huddled tents greet you
from the mouth of the E Street tunnel
and introduce you to the gentle snowfall.
The benches forage for faces
waiting for the tossing of eyes
to break through the rain-snow
to consider resting
to rock backwards
into the groan of cracked wood-metal.
To feel a gripping hand
with soil-stained fingers
catch your falling body
upon splintered arms;
you take your own notes on time.
James Steck lives in Washington, DC. He teaches high school English and coaches track and field in Fairfax, Virginia. He sketches frequently and enjoys sitting on fire escapes, and performing at open mics. His work is forthcoming with Better Than Starbucks and Wordpeace. His other work has appeared with Eunoia Review, Tiny Spoon Literary Magazine Issue 3, Goat's Milk Magazine Issue 4, The Odd Magazine, The Wild Word, With Painted Words, and others. You can find him on Instagram @jamodsteck or on Facebook as James David. James recommends Planned Parenthood.