Memorial Bridge, Night by Jay Parr

             ​Tristan Loper CC




Memorial Bridge, Night


The mercury streetlights buzzing above. The river lurking in the darkness beneath, quiet, but not silent. The teenage boy walking to buy smokes, pocket heavy with scrounged, bummed, stolen change. Staring down into the void. Listening to the whisper of the sirens. Reminding himself, every time, it's not high enough.

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Jay Parr (he/they) has lived with persistent suicidal ideation for much of his life, but the meds help. So does having a peaceful life with a lovely family. He lives with his partner and child in Greensboro, NC, where he's a lecturer in UNCG's nontraditional humanities program. He's grateful to have work published or upcoming in Bullshit Lit, Wrongdoing Magazine, Dead Skunk Magazine, Discretionary Love, Streetcake Magazine, Variant Literature Journal, and this little joint you might know, Anti-Heroin Chic. Twitter: @crankypacifist Web: jayparr.wordpress.com

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