GordonSquareReview
  • Home
  • About
  • Submit
  • Contest
  • Issues
    • Issue 1
    • Issue 2
    • Issue 3
    • Issue 4
    • Issue 5
    • Issue 6
    • Issue 7
    • Issue 8
    • Issue 9
    • Issue 10
Picture
NORTHEAST OHIO SPOTLIGHT

Laundry Day

Poetry by Mallory Rader
I remember

            the laundry basket

                                                              flying
                                                 through the air
 – 

the linen, uniform,
now disbanding
 – 

                         the musk of fresh rain water spinning through the steam.

My father’s foot stuck-still

                                                    in mid-swing.

His eyes gaining focus
 – 
                                     in, then out, then in
 – ​
            scanning the room,

seeking solicitude.

I corner-knelt—my hands

                                          soaking up the skin of my cheeks.

Humming, mumbling, waiting.

                                                                                He said, “I will kill myself right now,
                                                                                I swear to God.”

Tears tumbled                                    liquid over

my fingers,                                                              turned solid at my wrists,

and as I watched his shirts lay flat on the floor,

                                        stagnant,

                no longer swirling through the living room,

                                                                                    my mother said,

                                                                                    “Do it.”
Picture
Mallory Rader

Mallory Rader spends a majority of her time in the fetal position. She graduated from Youngstown State University in 2019 and has been published in Fourth and Sycamore, Volney Road Review, West Trade Review, The Bookends Review, The Write Launch, and others.

GORDON SQUARE REVIEW

Home
About
Submit
Contest
Picture
 COPYRIGHT 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Picture
  • Home
  • About
  • Submit
  • Contest
  • Issues
    • Issue 1
    • Issue 2
    • Issue 3
    • Issue 4
    • Issue 5
    • Issue 6
    • Issue 7
    • Issue 8
    • Issue 9
    • Issue 10