I'm featured in Collected Magazine's newest issue. Read an excerpt here.
Clark’s tongue slides like a slug. The tip hits the lemon slice’s bitter flesh and retreats. He winces and kicks his nine-year-old feet. A wild shout and a trio of laughter erupt at my kitchen table. Leo and Felix, age six and two, admire the bravery their brother carries tall in his imaginary backpack. “Your turn,” Clark says and passes them each a lemon slice. They imitate the quick sour tongue-touch and overreaction. But as the citrus sting subsides, all three lap at their sunshine wedge like puppy dogs. It’s a race of tang with no clear finish line, only the paradoxical sweetness of play. Lemonade. The boys learn the three-step recipe and soon sand dunes of bleach-white sugar cascade daily into tap-water-and-lemon-juice-concentrate-filled jugs. That’s probably why I buy the big tin of instant powder; to save my lemon juice for salad dressing, but also because of the way the plastic lid lifts open to a fine sweet mist that prickles your nose and, if inhaled, induces uncontrolled coughing. Have you ever tried to send your children back in time? To give them a glimpse of your childhood, of crystals spinning in a clear glass and the taste of them gulped down half-dissolved? Click here to read the full story.
2 Comments
1/9/2021 12:40:34 pm
I'm just finding this blog now and what a treat it is to read your painted words. I have to admit, anytime you talk about yourself as a young girl, I'm instantly transported to my most treasured childhood friend and memories flood over me. This has been my favourite thing to fall upon in such a long time. Love you, dear friend <3
Reply
Chavon Barry
1/9/2021 12:57:00 pm
I often think of those days and of you too. I'm so glad you fell upon the blog and commented Dana. It is a delight to cheer you on even from afar and wonderful to hear from you. Thanks for reading friend!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Chavon BarryChavon is a new writer from Victoria, British Columbia. She wrestles with simple answers and is learning to listen, to be still with God. Archives
April 2022
Categories |