If the Creek Don't Rise

by Leah Weiss

I was pulled by the raw scent of that man, not knowing the stink below the skim of sweet.

“You knock them fake stars outta your blind eyes, Sadie Blue, or you gonna lay with the devil and live in hell.

I rolled his cigarettes for him since I’m five, and I’m good at it.

All Marris says is, “Roy needs killing.”

Like me, she got her a shitty man, but I did something bout my shit and keep the truth from the law.

“If the good Lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise.”

He beat on Gladys cause she stayed. He beat on Carly till she run away.

She whispers, “I wish I had a man who give me roses.”

call myself an agnostic. From as early as I can recall. I never saw the need for blind faith, nor am I patient with man-made rules.”