August Full Moon Special

Washcloths
Natalie Schaffer​

She was on her knees in your bathroom
Matriarch and healer
Stitcher and collector
But here she was
On her knees in your bathroom
Kneeling to her father
I imagine she was also kneeling to her Father

She got upset when I told her I didn’t want to say grace at the dinner table anymore
But I think
She just doesn’t understand
Communion has always tasted different in my mouth
But in this moment I would almost relent
And say grace- for her
But what I really want is to say grace to her
Because god is something, sure

But right now she is on her knees in your bathroom
She soothes your confusion
She speaks all the skinned knees of your pride to sleep
She says “it’s going to be ok”
You and I are not so sure
But before my eyes she makes it ok
You couldn’t make it
But she makes it ok

There is no dignity in dying
But Jesus Christ is there dignity in daughters
They will wash away the worst
Forgive the facile friction of family
And the aches of old and unintentional alcoholism
For your sake

At least they knew you always sent up ramshackle prayers with their names on them
Whenever you remembered what they were
But
I think it was that week
You started to tell them you loved them
For the first time this century

They showed you the same with washcloths
Or words
Or wishbones
Or daughters
For years
For years

Solstice Autumn 2022 Contests

​We’re excited to announce that Solstice's Autumn 2022 Contests is now open for entries.
All of Solstice's contests are for artists and writers who are currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited university.
Enter for a chance to get your picture on the cover!

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Solstice Literary Magazine is literary and art magazine, published four times a year on the seasonal solstice.
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