BRING BACK JAKE
by CRIS GARCIA


February 16 2026


        “Have you heard of a place where dominion holds us but forgets that 
        We get 
        Cold 
        And it forgets that it is teeth but we don’t because of the biting.
        Dull yes, but we don’t because of abiding. 
        Dull, yes, and so long?” 

Look right through me. The word utterly was my basement's first born. 
Mementos of the megafauna afoot in my any-antrum. 
And what I’m trying to tell you is that I only want a slushy 
If it's warm and was made in your mouth. Special needs. 
My movements take after the talents of my sweet labrador. It’s the heat. 

In memoriam, pare with the mornings when you stayed 
So long. 
You never meant to do me harm. 
I never could touch you like a free radical. 

I’m watching tv on mute, I’m watching our walk home. 
A drink drink in hand for when we get there there. 
This could be whatever you like; 
I also like nothing.




Cris Garcia is a writer and high school teacher living in Brooklyn.

@laissezstare