A. J. Huffman

My Phantoms Hang Neatly

by A.J. Huffman

in closets that should have held

clothes. I do not need them—

the clothes. The phantoms

I worry like beads

that will not stay on their knot.

My neck is wrapped around their hands.

We all squeeze too tight,

believe we are not

co-dependent. I dress myself

for company in spirit

of tangibility. I have been told

it frightens the neighbors,

but I feel comfortable

hanging around in cold.

The Hour of the Cat

by A.J. Huffman

Feathered neck and eyes.

He thinks she is a bird.

And she does

think

she can fly.

From one nest to another.

Changing nothing

but the color

of her claws.

Owlish Eyes in the Dark

by A.J. Huffman

The cues of almost-

forgotten prey ignite,

a strobe light of fear. Silent

flight finds spotlight.

[Pause]

Dramatic dark descends

quicker than breath

can be caught.

Teeth open.

[Hold your applause]

It isn’t over

until the blood has become

a permanent stain.

A.J. Huffman has published thirteen full-length poetry collections, thirteen solo poetry chapbooks and one joint poetry chapbook through various small presses. Her most recent releases, The Pyre On Which Tomorrow Burns (Scars Publications), Degeneration (Pink Girl Ink), A Bizarre Burning of Bees (Transcendent Zero Press), and Familiar Illusions (Flutter Press) are now available from their respective publishers. She is a five-time Pushcart Prize nominee, a two-time Best of Net nominee, and has published over 2600 poems in various national and international journals, including Labletter, The James Dickey Review, The Bookends Review, Bone Orchard, Corvus Review, EgoPHobia, and Kritya. She is also the founding editor of Kind of a Hurricane Press. www.kindofahurricanepress.com