Nicholas

When I arrive he says he's sorry for being
a bad man. He's shaved his head 'cos

his brain is burnt. He bows to present his crown
so I can see the mark. He says he's turning

black 'cos they're feeding him humans.
He's actually a tan colour, a mix of rollies and

pacing in the sun. He smokes the Tally Ho
he got for his birthday. His thumb, calloused

and stained, flicks the butt he holds in his tremoring
fingers. A grimace flickers over his face

like the home movies of his childhood. As we drive
he taps the quiet car radio. Yeah, arrrrrr,

that's the source of the problem, right there, that's where
they're coming from. He shrinks into his seat, laughs,

and runs his fingers through his scalp. Last week
he was God and showed me how he made the Swan River.

In high school he was Mojo Rising, but as I drive away
looking in the rear vision mirror      I see my boy.


Natasha Adams (Western Australia)

First published in Creatrix

night light

her valium is white
mama’s little helper is here to stay
it lights the way through the night

now she’s cross-legged and polite
she can’t fuck the pain away1
her valium is white

maybe the drug company’s right?
there’s got to be a happier way
it lights the way through the night

medicine cabinet calls from head height
mother in the mirror has something to say
her valium is white

sick kids and the place is a bomb site
she’s disappearing into dismay
it lights the way through the night

she’s all out of fight
as she says goodbye to the day
her valium is white
it lights the way through the night


Natasha Adams (Western Australia)

First published in Creatrix

1. Fuck the pain away is a song by Peaches

Note on Front Door

Dear Burglar,
 
Please don’t break in today
You see I’ve hardly cleaned
The floors are in a mess
and I haven’t Mr Sheened
 
I hope you’ll understand
Good help is hard to find
and I can’t do it all
I barely have the time
 
With visits to the spa
and classes for my art
My nails have just been done
I don’t know where to start
 
I need to hire a nanny
and find a gardener too
A housewife’s life is hard
A stressful thing to do
 
You mustn’t see my house
in such a wretched state
Kindly check your times
and advise another date
 
My cleaner comes on Friday
so could you come back then
Please RSVP below
and let me know just when
 
Yours truly

Merrillea Faux-Pride
Lady of Leisure (LOL)


Natasha Adams (Western Australia)

First published in Creatrix

Haiku: chirping cricket...

chirping cricket
her walk
in leather pants


Natasha Adams (Western Australia)

she's designer

people make the clothes; clothes do
not make a person
— Zhang Nah

pull back the bamboo curtain
she holds scissors like shears
to the throat
of the mannequin

rips stitches
to remove an olive collar
hitches up a hem
frays a cuff

leftover fabric for a belt
she sews late into the night
on grandmother’s machine

her lamp casts yellow light
through wafts of smoke
cigarette burning
in the ashtray

from the cushion
on her wrist
she plucks a pin
with her teeth

East no longer looks West
Fashion Week over
her upcycled clothes sell
to help rural women

her designs stitch
a future to the past
she won’t forget where
she’s come from

red heart beats strong
she’s designer
rainbows of ribbons
butterflies on strings


Natasha Adams (Western Australia)

First published in Creatrix