October 24, 2008 Dear Susanna Einstein: I would like to thank you in advance for your time and consideration of my story, which contains about 90,000 words. The main character in my story is Alicia Fischer, a troubled girl with a strained home life. She chooses to escape this lifestyle by dreaming. My story explores several of those dream scenarios, giving you a look at the world that’s happening inside Alicia’s head while she is sleeping; the world Alicia prefers. Slowly throug...

It seems important to say that this story does not begin in a certain place or time, but within the heart of a girl child. She was raised to believe in her own worthlessness. She had trouble mastering any skill, she was clumsy and she was not particularly attractive in any way. Even though she was aware of these flaws, the people surrounding her made sure to remind her of them every day. Soon she stopped trying to do anything correctly, since nothing of quality was expected of her anyway, an...

Darkened vines The twisted limbs Hiding places Secret spaces Touch me where no one can see Promises made Shadowed silence The leafy bower Where every hour Was marked by lustful wanting I can still feel you trace the vein Pulsed in secrecy I cherish half remembered pain I know you want me Kiss me Handsome I can still feel you feeling skin Cloak and dagger Places you have always been And will be again Touch me Handsome Hearts entwined Disheveled beings Pulse and races Darkened faces Me against ...

I am disgusted Ravenous wolves And carrion crows Who wade in their jealousy Fighting over the carcass Of someone near their end. Some disguise their intentions: “I am a helping hand,” Waiting to clean up after The body drops. “I only love you I don’t want you hurt” He’s going to die There is no getting around that At least he won’t be around To witness your free meal.

We’re in danger. So easily we could lose Everything in the stormy nature Of our foe. We mustn’t cast off the cloud But live within it’s chill Adapt to the circumstances But I can’t see you anymore And my heart is breaking For the things that were supposed to be And never were And can’t be anymore Through choice and situation Accidents in the guise of fate Choices made in ignorance Bind us to where we wander slowly I am so lost Are you happy?

There’s a woman between us. She doesn’t want you To be drawn into my trap. She knows I am tricky tricky; And she sees you Falling asleep Inside the shelter of my trees Being lost to her forever. Nothing can compare To my ravenous appetite. The world inside my arms Is addictive and hollow Empty spaces for you to shelter; Hidden from her anger. How do you feel About being seduced By my warm hungry mouth? How do you feel About losing yourself In my warm hungry hands? I can feel it in my unrest. ...

“I want it back!” The young woman stood on the beach, grey eyes narrowed and black hair whipping sharply across her face as the wind gripped the strands. The cold ocean water washed across her bare feet, yet she paid it no mind. Her nakedness in the cool morning air did not distract her either. She held her body erect and proud and looked with scorn upon the man before her. He stood with his hand in his pockets and a triumphant look upon his face. For all of that though, he still licked his l...

I have a million puppeteers Every move carefully choreographed Faint flushes of embarrassment If I ever step out of line. My body hurts From bending into so many positions I am a contortionist I do what’s expected My thoughts and opinions are never enough And how I shame everyone around me When my mouth opens And something hideously original comes out. If I can’t be alone and relax I think I will go insane Enough is enough

Am I in the world I want? You confuse me Change the boundaries Lost in a realm of confusion (how cliché!) In fact, this entire piece is a giant “I’ve already been done once” sort of thing. The patterns unchanging I walk the steps I’ve walked countless times And each time they look like something new And only upon completion am I able to say “I’ve done this before” painted green and grey and brown sabotage my chances Each night I am held safe and warm Loved? Not sure. Wanted? Definitely. Passi...

There used to be heat between you and I I could see you and my breath would catch I’d clutch a hand to my stomach And all I wanted each day was to look at you We used to understand each other I could say whatever I needed to Your ear was friendly and inviting A cool comforting place to bare my soul Circumstance was our companion The time we needed was there All that and more we had in our hands The glory to be squandered But my passion is now spent on another And you have gone backwards in yo...