"The Dog That Resides Above Me Knows How to Cry When it’s Quiet" and "Space Off" by Benjamin Niespodziany

The Dog That Resides Above Me Knows How to Cry When it’s Quiet

In the morning, I’ll paint
the very top
of a lighthouse. It will take me
all day. I’ll arrive
home late. The lake
this time of year. It’s why
they call it a mirror.

Space Off

To pause the opera
he bow ties bow
ties. He tries
on wine thumbs.
The man’s helmet
looks like a spelling bee.
His daughter wants to be an explorer.
She knows the desert is not dead.

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Benjamin Niespodziany's work has appeared in Fence, Fairy Tale Review, Hobart, and others. Along with being featured in the Wigleaf Top 50, his writing has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, and Best Microfiction. His chapbook The Northerners (2021) was released through above/ground press and his chapbook Pickpocket the Big Top (2022) was released through Dark Hour Books.