“Always throw salt over your shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate: plant lavender for luck: and fall in love wherever you can.” –Alice Hoffman “Practical Magic”
Sunlight, a dash of salt to throw at shadows,
lavender at my breast,
rosemary for headaches,
a little honey.
Old Mother, he does not remember how
to stitch up my heart.
It feels as if only my whispers echo.
He has been burn and balm,
but now I am torn
and he is threadless.
I want eyelashes to flutter
against my lips,
a finger to trace the webbing
of my hand,
worshiping the crevices,
the lines.
I want a hand to whisper against my face,
his eyes possessive and warm.
Old Mother if you cannot heal me,
at least lace up my heart,
and cinch me tight.
Kim Malinowski
Kim Malinowski is a lover of words. Her collection Home was published by Kelsay Books and her verse novel Clutching Narcissus was published by Twelve House Books. Her verse novel Phantom Reflection was published by Silver Bow Publishing. She has two full-length books forthcoming from Vraeyda Literary and Nightingale & Sparrow Press. Her chapbook Death: A Love Story was published by Flutter Press. She was nominated for the 2022 Rhysling Award and the 2023 Best of Net Award. She writes because the alternative is unthinkable.
Artwork: Caryn Drexl
Website: https://www.caryndrexl.com/
Gingerbread House Lit Mag 