Kristen D. Scott

How to Rescue a Drowning Man

First, tuck away your dreams like your grandmother’s autumn- print quilt blocks. Leave her cedar chest slightly ajar for any whispers.

I am sleeping… Don’t wake me yet.

Panic attacks are suffered in private. Run from the room, fill the washing machine, bury your head in your heads and sob, but no louder than the whoosh of water.

I am coming… Don’t eat without me.

Remember everything is funny; the evening news, red wine spilled from jittery hands.

I need three of me… Don’t help me clean it up.

In the evening, wear the lace crimson bra; the garter, and La Vie Est Belle.

Please notice me … Don’t watch the movie alone.

Smile at your mother-in-law. Throw her a birthday party to make him happy.

He will understand it’s for him… Don’t close the door.

Take out the quilt blocks, run them over the back of your hands, feel the smoothness against your cheek, listen to your grandmothers speak, thread the needle, —sew.

Kristen D. Scott is a six-time nominee of the Pushcart Prize in poetry for six works from her 2014 collection OPIATE. She is an award-winning essayist for her work on Federico Garcia Lorca and his books the Divan del Tamarit, Poet of the Deep Song, and essay, "The Duende."

She has published in several anthologies, newspapers, and ezines, including two front covers from Nacional Newspaper in Albania, the San Diego Poetry Annuals, Nomos Review, Perigee, Alesbuyia, and published two poetry collections from Garden Oak Press; LIAISONS (2012) and OPIATE (2014). She has been translated into Arabic, Albanian, Türçe, French, Bengali, and Italian.

Scott is currently the Editor-In-Chief, founder, and web designer of KNOT Magazine.