Sentry

Abstract

Sentry Stevie Edwards (bio) After Charleston spat me out its bellycovered in the bile of scared living,my unsavory knees and egoa bit worse for the wear—I, Stevie, riot daughter of a salesmanand seamstress, late night wanderer,built a mighty perch on the edgeof my parents' couchwrapped in afghans and crumbsand kept steady watch of the sea'scargo: bobbing cameos of friends,a rush of too muchchatter. Some nights I voyageout, a current of wine pulling me downdown into the murky fathoms of love's hottemper: … I broke his nose / he threw a bottle / almost hit the dog / everyone agreed / my fist / I was just walking down the street / the board / his nose coming out my ex's apartment / the police agreed / they'd have done the same / his blood on the board / everyone agreed … [End Page 244] I resurface coughing up a lungfull of gratitude for what hasn't been doneto this body. My skin a little singedwhere it touched the violent.In the bathroom mirror a brokenlease, a ghosted job. I can swallow itall without a wince. [End Page 245] Stevie Edwards Stevie Edwards is the author of Good Grief and Humanly. She is editor in chief of MuzzleMagazine, senior editor in book development at YesYes Books, and a PhD candidate at University of North Texas. She can be found online at www.stevietheclumsy.com. Copyright © 2017 Stevie Edwards