At Goodwill I Find a Tiny President Kamala Harris Shirt Hanging on the Kids Rack

by Justin Karcher

Trude Jonsson Stangel

and squeeze into it in the fitting room. Walking out I feel like a better man everyone rubbing my stomach in praise.

At the register the cashier exclaims it’s a special day where dashed dreams cost nothing at all. They glue an umbilical cord of wilted lotus flowers onto my belly button and then I’m pulled back into reality.

In the parking lot the country is falling apart. This old woman is scooping up snow with a dustpan. I can hear her mumbling about how she hasn’t felt the sun in years.

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Justin Karcher (Twitter: @justin_karcher, Bluesky: @justinkarcher.bsky.social) is a Best of the Net- and Pushcart-nominated poet and playwright from Buffalo, NY. He is the author of several books, including Tailgating at the Gates of Hell (Ghost City Press, 2015). Recent playwriting credits include The Birth of Santa (American Repertory Theater of WNY) and “The Buffalo Bills Need Our Help” (Alleyway Theatre). https://www.justinkarcherauthor.com