Art By: Scotty Robotty
Her fingertips brush against the tumescent flesh of over-ripened tins, impotent banana peels, and the acidic edges of violently deposited bottles. Somewhere within this seething estuary of refuse she hopes to find a solution to hunger. Clutching a bag of recently expired Wonder Bread she raises it triumphantly above her eye line. Her lover nods in acknowledgment only, his clean hands tucked into smug armpits. A pack of Big Red marks a second victory. Luxuries are scarce and heralded with enthusiasm.
*
Along the highway she hops into a car lover in tow, clothes and aromas disheveled and offensive. The man in the front seat is her brother, the girl her niece. She offers the girl an unmade sandwich, boasting of good fortune. That girl is me. I don’t know whether to accept or decline. More than the questionable menu (I’ve removed my share of mold for dinner) I am alarmed by her pressured dialogue and obfuscating eyes. Who is this peculiar woman palpitating asynchronously in our back seat? Who is this man confined behind surreptitious brows and silence? My dad offers up her name, a name I know through stories and gossip. She is a drug addict, this man is her lover and pimp, but above all this elusive creature is my aunt.
*
The car ride is awkward but polite. She is manic, talking a thousand miles a minute, content to fill the void with her side-stepping quips. She is nice in a way that suggests unpremeditated violence. She is vulgar and she is innocent. She flits carelessly through unknown stratospheres. I can’t tell what she’s taken but I suspect she’s tried everything. When she exits the car she leaves me with the pack of gum. Months from now she’ll be dead, her pimp having forced her into oncoming traffic. I’ll stand tearfully at her closed coffin knowing that whomever lies inside is both beautiful and terrifying.
*
This is a true story
I did a reading but the length made it very challenging so it isn’t very good
mindlovemisery 
I am speechless with this…so many questions as you say a true story, in a car with your dad and a pimp and your drug addicted Aunt… don’t say this wasn’t very good…because it was, though terrifying, it was captivating and I clung on to your words, and heard the disillusion and calmed fear in your voice. This was amazing Yves. Hugs x
Thank you Jenny (hugs) It was an unnerving experience. I was quite young and many of my relatives suffer mental illness and addiction
you are welcome, I gathered from this write…you have seen a lot…learned much more…your writing tells the tale ~ strong hugs x
Thank you so much Jenny I happy to say my life now is much more pleasant and safe (hugs)
I am glad ~ as you are darling ~ long may this continue. xx
=)
…email
Wow; this is an incredible piece, and a brilliantly powerful, yet albeit terrifying back story to the life that you have experienced and survived. I certainly hope your life is far brighter than it was then. Again, your writing was excellent and conveyed the piece with an unrelenting sense of dramatic realism.
Thank you so much what a beautiful compliment! My life now is much much brighter thanks =)
God. Just… I have no words. Just keep writing. That’s all I can say.
Thank you Tony =)
oh i imagine so….as a kid too it is hard to process those eccentric family members as well…i have known enough of these people that this is very real to me…the mix of feelings is def honest…
Thank you so much for that Brian it means a lot
This is so wonderful. Terrifyingly so. Raw and real.
Thank you kindly
I’ve just finished listening to your audio. A fabulous reading. You have a great voice for it. It was like listening to you in the same room telling me about your aunt, this wondrous creature. You should submit that to oh I can’t remember what it’s called but I’ll find the link and paste it later. I’m on my stupid kindle just now so I can’t search at the same time. Really wonderful piece made all the more so by your voice. Truly.x
Thank you so much I am so glad you enjoyed it! Your words mean so much to me =)
You’re welcome. 🙂
Found the link. http://wepoetsshowit.com/?s=open+mic+night
Good luck. 🙂 x
Thank you very much I will have to study up I’ve always been kind of stupid when it comes to these things hence never having really entered poetry contests (once when I was a kid if it counts) in the past haha
I tried now we will see
That’s amazing – an amazing, tragic story so brilliantly told. 🙂 🙂
Thank you very much Helen =)
I was trying to leave a comment here this morning when my internet bailed on me!
Anyways, I loved the story and that you included an audio, it just makes the extraordinary writing feel even more close and personal.
Awww thank you sweetie
We all have odd encounters sometimes, and you told yours really well. I hope your aunt is happy wherever she is.
Thank you so much =) I have had my share of them, some odd encounters are good while others are unsettling
Like your poetry, this is a powerful piece. I love that you write the truth and reality so uncompromisingly and yet totally without judgement. How is the poetry book coming on? I very much look forward to it’s arrival xxx
Thank you so much Bianca that is a tremendous compliment =) I just can’t see to get through to my editor. =(
Oops, forgot to mention the audio. You have a wonderful voice 🙂
Awww thank you I love your voice as well =)
Thank God it’s all in the past and you are a great person today. 🙂
I have a much better safer life now!