Tamara Gore

Alien

He struggles to keep
his legs still

The pilot whispers to him:
“¿Bien, amigo?”

The cargo presses against
his shin

He thinks of his family
starving secretly
back in the Valley.

He doesn’t remember how to work
his stolen suit or helmet

Starship V rumbles, finally
exploding into the Houston sky

Towards the flashing dot
he hopes will save them all.

Touching Season

When the weather is right
we can take off our masks and suits
and touch. Without fear of
freezing to death.

To smell you--oh my god. It's like I'm
smelling you for the first time. Do you remember?
To feel your breath, so close, and to taste your
sweet tongue. It's almost too much.
Touching season was too short this time.

A month?

687 long sols until next year.

 

Josh Medsker was born in the back of a boxcar, en route from Alaska to the lower 48. He learned to read by memorizing billboards and Archie comics discarded on park benches. He has written for his supper in magazines and newspapers from Alaska to Antarctica, and many continents in-between, and currently lives in New Jersey. Site: www.joshmedsker.com