Tryst Poet: Kristine Ong Muslim

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Kristine Ong Muslim's poems and stories have appeared or are forthcoming in more than 100 magazines, journals, and anthologies worldwide. These include Bellevue Literary Review, GlassFire Magazine, Mastodon Dentist, The Pedestal Magazine, Turnrow, and Void Magazine. Her publication history: http://www.freewebs.com/blackroom8

Q is for Quentin

This scream is special.

I have heard it in my dreams
before I fall,
before I ward off your blows.

This scream is special.
It has your name on it.

City Girl

Teeth clenched, jaws tight,
eyes half-shut to ward off
the first light,

she flicks the ashes of her
cigarette stick down
to where the paved streets
match the color
of her big-city dreams.