A Canadian Literary Journal
Agnes and True: a Canadian online literary journal dedicated to providing a place for the work of Canadian writers, both established and emerging.
A Canadian Literary Journal
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To Be Loved
by K. S. Nelson
Suli lies curled in the nest of pillows she calls a bed, under the heap of tattered blankets that smell like sour socks and a bit like berries because he’d poured cherry soda on them when she said she didn’t want to drink.
He might still be home. She can’t tell because the door deafens the discord enough that if she lies perfectly still only her spine aches.
Her fingers twitch, tightening around her shawl, hand-painted in a bruising violet and reptilian green. The balm’s sting still lingers, drawing tears like Nani’s fierce embrace.
Remember, my jaan, surrender to the divine. Give fully to be loved.
She’d filched the shawl from his closet days before her birthday, wrapped it in a sheaf of newspaper, and left it on the wobbly dresser, then pretended to be so surprised to find it later.
That was ages […]
