What would I do?
I would sit and watch tv with my 92 year old mom.
Watch a secular program, but also a sermon.
A WONDERFUL SERMON!
I would fast. Not for myself, but for this world.
A world that, for many, has known nothing but
HUNGER. I've done so little of that.
I would do something self sacrificing.
The proceeds of the sale of all my artwork
would go to my family. They would know
what to do with it ...

I would tell EVERYONE ABOUT JESUS!
READ HIS WORD AND ACT ON IT!!

And you? Do you know Jesus?

Read the book of John. At least 3:16.
Read the book of Romans.
At least the 8th chapter.

I'm not sure what the rest of my life
Will be like,  so I will continue my
program with mom.


Catherine Jarvis
5/13/25

You reek of smoke and heartbreak.

There is a forest fire raging in your gaze
that I cannot extinguish with mine.

It can be doused, perhaps—
or smothered
with more eyes and more eyes and more eyes—
but my water pail is filled with Patrón.
I cannot quell it alone.

The thirst in your wildfire eyes
is drying me to leather;
jerky for the vultures.

Maybe they
can quench it.

I am alcohol and lame steak.
You are smoke
and heartbreak.

There are bones in the wood;
cracking, groaning, shattering.
The skeleton of what could
Have
            Been

There are bones in the wood;
whistling, wailing, whispering.
The skeleton is not pure—not good
It
            Still
                        Has
           ­                         Flesh

catching a moment
in a jar

and its gone
before you see it

before you put the lid on
you are lost to a daydream.

Blood runs through my hands and stains the cold concrete.
As your heart rate drops with every beat.
The smell of fear and adrenaline arouse my sense like a woman's caress.
I bury my knife deep inside your chest.
I lose control with every slash, as my blade cuts away.
Now close your eyes while I carve you up
And hang you for display.

I am the Final Girl
Tell Mom and Dad in Heaven
that I Made It
and it was epic

though sometimes
I’m not so sure
that it’s over

little rumblings appear in the distance
peripheral glitches
strange things follow me
in daylight
they seem to know who I am
where I’m going
but I am quick
I have had the last laugh
I was ‘the one that got away’

never was there a clean solid ending
like after the high school prom
never did I hold a sword in hand
blood-splattered
alone
while the credits rolled in darkness
but all the same
I think that I’ve won
but will I remain victorious?

I can still feel about me
at times
a certain dread
that waits close at hand
ready
I know that I
was a missed opportunity
but there are advantages
in being underestimated
and of that I am thankful

sometimes dumb but deliberate flies
think that they are spiders
and old gray mice may fancy themselves
feline
how they linger, entranced
dazzled by luminescence (how I shine!)
and circle back again
one time more
when they shouldn’t
they take too long and are lost,
it works every time

I wanted you to know
Mom and Dad in Heaven
that my salvation
was like a soft ripple
gently pushed to shore
safety of a sort
after much ado
fighting on all sides, relentless
everyone a daemon
maybe even you? can’t help but wonder...
I was surprised to find out
just how casual
could be my destruction
how assured how confident
how very ordinary
how little it takes to break a person
I’ve seen it time and time again
(why, life itself!)

But here I am
calm yet concerned
I will not babysit
I will not enter that shack
I will not stop for gas
I will not drive shotgun
I will not take a swim
I will not ask for directions
I will not spend the weekend at the cottage
And I don’t want the doll
Not that party
Not that apartment
Not that country road
Not that doctor
Not that friend
Not that brother
Not that lover
Not that fool
Not anyone

I will not _
I will not _
I will not __

I’ve locked the door upon myself
and no phone will ring from within

Hey Mom and Dad in Heaven!
I made it!
I miss you guys!
I am the Final Girl
(and it was epic)

When something impactful happens,
life changes color.
Priorities change.
You change.
You learn to call God’s name.



Shell ✨🐚