Author S. K. Nicholas

x and i: a novel

a journal for damned lovers vol 1-3

Writing

  • Open Wide

    The names of the stars overhead are written in her ledger. She keeps it in her bag at all times. The pages, well thumbed and worn, are adorned with sketches of animals and lady parts in full bloom. On the odd occasion when she feels closer to God than she does the devil, she finds… Read more

  • Not Sleeping

    In a room full of dust, her love is shipwrecked. On a bed with unwashed sheets, her flesh slips from bone, and there, away from the world, she finds the meaning of life tucked between her third and fourth rib. Upon the coffee-ringed desk blanketed with dust, a tidal wave forms in a cup of… Read more

  • Down the Toilet

    In the days of lockdown, the golden arches of the local McDonald’s were void of the American sunshine I’ve known my entire life without ever having stepped foot there. The country, that is, not the restaurant. They’re now back the same as they once were, shining brightly as hoards of undesirables spend money they don’t… Read more

  • Skeletons Now

    I was reading my book. It wasn’t a funny book, and I had nothing to laugh at. In fact, I felt so desperately sad, that not even the thought of death could help wash away my inner blues. The book loosened itself from my fingers and fell to the floor, only, it didn’t strike the… Read more

  • Dig, Lazarus, Dig

    On my knees on the outskirts of town, towering sycamore trees shield me from prying eyes as I dig in damp soil with bare hands. I’m not sure what I’m searching for. I had something in mind when I set out, but now, I’m driven less by an idea and more by instinct. Perhaps I’m… Read more

  • Topless Darts

    Topless darts on cable TV as the land outside my window sways the same as a palm tree. On the table by my feet, there’s a giant blob of ketchup on a dinner plate as big as the stars in outer space. The ketchup is in my beard. If I stick my tongue out far… Read more

  • Stick Around

    There’s a water tower lying on its belly in a field of bright yellow corn. It’s been a number of years since it fell. It made no sound, and yet in the middle of a night of broken sleep, I remember the moment so vividly. Waking in a cold sweat fearing the worst, another part… Read more

  • Caged Bird

    The smoke on her breath is heavy. Like a mushroom cloud, it hangs above her sullen head in the most heavenly of ways. The motel has a neon sign above it. Although it doesn’t work, strangely enough, the cold, morning sunlight bouncing off the cracked tubing momentarily brings it back to life. She hasn’t washed… Read more

  • Prod and Poke

    Within the square confines of a faded polaroid, fingers smear labia at will. Litter trays, ashtrays—these sheets of paper betray my best intentions without me even realising. Some words contain hurt. Others, guilt. Two brown eyes and a smile orchestrated by tiny strings are the guiltiest of all. Strings like those connecting the many universes… Read more

  • Teeth of Millions

    Despite having a headache, I spent most of the day watching bare-knuckle fights between groups of warring travellers. The internet kept feeding them to me, and all I could do was watch as the beastly men broke each other’s faces in parking lots and underpasses as the rest of their lot goaded them on. Sometimes,… Read more