The shooting has fusillied
my stomach.
I mistake 8 quarts
for 6.
Place the pot on a stove 
turned to high. 

The reporter’s update,
2 dead, 1 critical,
heavily salts my eyes.
The governor’s segment,
a lifeless notecard reading,
has me steaming.

How many more? I demand.
How many more?
How many more?
How many more?

I am only met
with undercooked
thoughts and prayers
and the sizzling sound 
of water 

                                   boiling over.

---

Chris Kads is a queer, Arizonan writer who enjoys creating coming-of-age works with feminist and LGBTQ+ commentary. When she is not writing, Chris loves hosting the poetry challenge “Gut Punch Prompts” on her instagram @chris_kads and spending time with her loved ones. Other works of hers can be found featured in Blood+Honey Literary Magazine, SHINE International Poetry Series, FLARE Magazine, Silly Goose Press, and the anthology If You Ever: Poems Inspired by Kim Addonizio.