30Dec 2025 Lisa Carmen

Kitchen

I am old enough now to know, a dry spaghetti noodle is hardly a crudité. A slice of raw potato does not satisfy. And I am wise enough to know... Read More
editors note:

What simple treat stirs your own kitchen recall? – mh clay

11Feb 2017 Lisa Carmen

Mango

If there is a graceful way to eat a mango, I don’t know it. What? With knife and fork? Clean nibbles, small bites? No thank you. I don’t want to... Read More
editors note:

We choose it, too! (We welcome this mad missive from one of the founders of this Mad Swirl. Thanks, Lisa!) – mh clay

24Aug 2009 Lisa Carmen

Fifteen items or less

standing in the express checkout lane i count the items of the chick in front of me just to make sure. and then my items, just to be safe and... Read More
10Jul 2009 Lisa Carmen

Hmmm…

If I decided not to struggle what would there be left to whine about? If I decided not to whine what would there be left to talk about? If I... Read More
20Mar 2009 Lisa Carmen

starbucks: five of them

"fuckin this" and "fuckin that" they show the world they are nearly men by fucking everything... "mom..." says one, sheepishly on his cell "can josh sleep over?" they're playing with... Read More
20Mar 2009 Lisa Carmen

decisions

i do not know i do not know i do not know if i want my lashes defined lengthened volumized or plumped. i hate having to choose such a thing... Read More
20Dec 2008 Lisa Carmen

On the Brink

Are you ready? Get ready. Get set. ... Change... is ablaze in your brain as you feel its flame spreading across synapses' bridges on the brink of creations wonders and... Read More
11Oct 2008 Lisa Carmen

picture of us

when we were young and beautiful, did we know it? wild fire in our eyes. we didn't think of being old, of fine lines forming creases where the smiles burrowed... Read More
10Oct 2008 Lisa Carmen

I’ve Been Thinking…

I want to live my life better. I’ve been thinking a lot about what my life is becoming and how fast it’s moving and I want to slow it down... Read More
10Oct 2008 Lisa Carmen

The Final Unraveling

There are mites in my head, there are bugs in my bed and they’re eating away at my brain, and god, the burn the burn the BURN is causing so... Read More