Tag: Maya Stein (Page 2 of 2)

Sweet & Sour

The way you call me “babe”, the way you kiss the tip of my nose, how your left arm is always extended across the bed for me to curl into your side, how you hold me so my face is pressed into your chest and one of my hands rests between your naked thighs, how you rub my back so slow and gentle, how I feel so completely at peace in your arms in this bed.

How I don’t have to ask for you to take out the garbage or get the coffee pot ready for tomorrow, how you never complain about cooking or grocery shopping when you know I hate it and don’t want to do it, how you see beers you think I’ll like and bring them home to me, the way you make me feel safe and cared for every time your hand touches the small of my back when we’re walking through doorways, the way you make me feel so special and yours.

But there is a mountain of lies blocking my view of the future, as well as a door you won’t walk through and close, and no matter how much love there may be between us, a girl can only take so much.


This was written in response to Maya Stein’s Tri-Writing prompt: Sour or sweet?

Anything With You

Washing the black VW Bug in the driveway on a hot summer day with gray, sudsy water pouring down my arms, my squeals of delight when my grandpa sprayed me with the hose.

Sitting on the dirty top of the work table in his greenhouse while he potted geraniums to sell to coworkers and neighbors, the feel of his hands over mine when he showed me how far down to press the seeds into the soil.

Hearing his breath hard and fast in my ear while he ran beside me holding onto the back of my bicycle, and that whooping cheer of joy he made when he finally let me go.


This was written in response to Maya Stein’s Tri-Writing prompt: In 3 lines, write about a favorite childhood pastime. 

Written for my grandfather on what would have been his 94th birthday. I miss you and will always love you, Pop-Pop. Fuck Covid. Get your vaccines.

Come on in.

I won’t be one to get standing ovations or trophies, and I’ll never have the key to any city, but I will wait here in my superhero pose until you pay me your attention because I am doing something here, you should see me.

If you come to me I will feed you and clothe you, I will listen to you (because that’s what people seem to need the most), I will make sure you have a warm place to go when I send you on your way, and I will never ask for or expect a thing in return.

I will walk in and out of your life telling myself I can’t help anyone with everything, but I can help everyone with something, and I will imagine your slow clap and nod of appreciation as I walk away, asking who’s next?


This was written in response to Maya Stein’s Tri-Writing prompt: Applause.

Worth It

I’ve already lived a million lives in different bodies and places and times, and now I’m on the downhill slide, ready to try it all again.

Will I do better next time at appreciating everything offered to me, or will I once again drown under the weight of my regrets?

I’ll still cry over every mountain I haven’t climbed, every ocean I haven’t touched, and every starry sky I didn’t dance under, but at least -and only just once – I got to dance with you.


This was written in response to Maya Stein’s Tri-Writing prompt: How old do you feel inside and why? Tell us in 3 lines.

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