Jaclynn Loibl

Knight My Fire

I am a giant baby that won’t take a pacifier, a nappy change, or a bottle without spitting them out or soiling them up. I don’t know what to do with this tangled knot of apathy, discouragement, and overly responsible feelings except to hide it away in a deep, dark cave. The dang thing aboutContinue reading “Knight My Fire”

Too Busy: A Poem

I wanted to write with lightning bolts from the darkest clouds; ink ran dry. I desired to blaze the boldest trail in the thickest snags; clippers are rusty. I craved an exotic mushroom dish in uptown Manhattan; stuck in an elevator. I want to twirl my dress in the air with outstretched arms and eyesContinue reading “Too Busy: A Poem”

The Sauntering Seven

I’m on I-5 heading south to pick up a water polo team of Muscovy ducklings. Along for the ride is Evelyn, who’s in the backseat playing a dinosaur app on her tablet, and Dave, who’s listening to the Mariners play the Kansas City Royals in the first inning. It’s T-minute 11 minutes until the littleContinue reading “The Sauntering Seven”

Excuse Me, Ma’am

As the first person at a garage sale, you can imagine my excitement at seeing rows of goodies stacked higher than professional basketball players’ heads. Before I’d even exited the car, I’d already eyed a pallet wall hanging I planned on grabbing, I popped out the door before Dave had stopped the car with anContinue reading “Excuse Me, Ma’am”

Great Balls Of Fire

I sift through stories of the day like squinting at a crystal ball; Which to tell, why, and what is their value? I impulsively bought a 4-lb tub of Atomic Fireballs for the office a couple of days ago. Lining the base of my monstera plant are seven of the plastic-covered mini red planet-looking candies,Continue reading “Great Balls Of Fire”

Counseling 911

During my internship, I sat with a woman whose anger in the session was visceral; body trembling, mouth spitting, and laser-cutting eyes. I didn’t like her, as she blamed everyone else for her problems. This time it was her kid’s fault that she’d pressed the gas pedal too hard, leading to her ultimately getting a speeding ticket. I’dContinue reading “Counseling 911”

Writing Exercise: A Pair Of Shoes

The teacher glanced at the room conspiratorially as my chest and face heated to a boiling point. She dangled the cat’s nose pink strappy slippers from a single finger, “Whose are these?” At no peep out of myself or my classmates, the white flag surrender sway of the shoes increased to the speed of aContinue reading “Writing Exercise: A Pair Of Shoes”

Case Of The Mondays

I’m not a fan of the word job, or what it means when I have a job to do. Take writing, for instance; usually, it’s a beautiful retreat in the Catskills at a riverfront AirBnB fit with a hot tub, 500-thread count sheets, and a squeak-less porch swing. But for some reason, today, writing is work.Continue reading “Case Of The Mondays”

Pop Pop Fizz Fizz

I want a pair of cute pajama bottoms—maximum softness and appealing color scheme matter. The red plaid jailbird ones I folded and stuffed in the drawer for the 500th time today have got to go. I wish I were younger when my aunt took me to the fabric store and sewed whatever I picked out.Continue reading “Pop Pop Fizz Fizz”

Live And Let Die

Imagine riding a free-wheeling brake-less bike downhill. The grip on the handlebar tires the muscles in your hands, and no matter how hard your eyes dart, a bump and pebble on the asphalt will inevitably send you end over end. I tried calming and settling myself, but even while having close friends over, I couldn’tContinue reading “Live And Let Die”