http://slow.writerscafe.org/krstaten The original writings of author Katie R. S. en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1776195818 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 Today, we found our wedding colors in nature--red twig dogwood mingling with white barked trees.Across the path, a dead tree growing like a vinelooped around the living, sleeping treethat held it still to the sky.Together we crouched at the edge of the bramble,bare branches only beginnin.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/krstaten/1750505/ The first I saw of Orion was his smile,a stupid, crooked grin under winkingpinprick eyes. As a child, I saw himsmirking down at me, the first constellationI learned by heart.                   &n.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/krstaten/1738245/ My mother collects state-shapedmagnets from every stateshe's ever visited.Her refrigerator is two thirds of a US mapbought from dozens of gas stations,all in different colors.I collect my words like she collects places,vocabulary found buried under landmarks.They've fallen off the fridge,become trip.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/krstaten/1734745/ Come find me again. I’m at the back of the bar / awayfrom the skirts too short for December and the tattoosand piercings and beanies, the torn and patched vestsover flannels and the long haired men and wing-eyed women / awayfrom the stage with the cymbals and the 80s hair metal guitar.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/krstaten/1732490/ I was not born a loaded gun,all metal in the teeth,a mouthful of lead.I was forged into weaponry;first word “gunpowder.”I was not born the cannonbut I was born on the ship,daughter of a turbulent sea,and I guess that makes metwice as guilty.My daughter’s fi.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/krstaten/1730251/