What Ophelia Did

by Bryana Joy

Ophelia drowned herself (which is a sin) but was out of her mind (which couldn’t be helped). Inside her mind a man holding a tuba was making a terrible noise. Two others gave her orders that did not agree. Be a table said one. God damn you said the other. Be a chair. She couldn’t live there. While the moon was out she crawled through the grass snapping each stalk she came for. She weighed both sins and then picked.

What Audrey One Did

by Bryana Joy

Audrey showed up late and Mr. Mushnik was drumming his fingers on the counter. She was always doing what would make you squirm: Spilling I’m Sorries like something with a leak. Shaking like a sheet of paper as she powdered a purple eye. In only a minute her leopard print was hobbling behind the mop. Her toes were screaming but she shushed them. She knew how much a girl was like a sheet of paper. One blot and you had to throw the whole thing out.

Bryana is a poet, watercolor artist, and author-illustrator who has lived in Türkiye, Texas, & England, & now resides in Eastern Pennsylvania. She spends most of her time making and mailing illustrated whimsical stories & poems as part of a project called the Tales From The Mandalina Tree. Her poetry has appeared in over 60 literary journals, and her book "Summer of the Oystercatchers" is forthcoming with Fernwood Press. Since 2021 she has been teaching regular online poetry workshops to foster meaningful arts community & support writers. Find her at www.bryanajoy.com or on Instagram & Threads at @_bryana_joy.