BROOCH

open thread (2026 May)

Posted by Emily Greenquist on May 31, 2026

Salmon Pink by Ilja Den Hollander

Comments

The Effect of Arsenic on Chlorophyll: or, Thoughts After Purchasing a Second Sage Puffer Coat

Lately, I’m head-to-toe encased in shades of green. A swaying pine wreath. A sifting matcha powder. A sofa. Green is a stand-in for the color I can’t see. I think Pina Bausch saw it. This is a color that would present itself to ballerinas performing with their eyes closed. I don’t have that kind of stamina; imagination; spotlight. In the meantime, I’m green all over. If I stretch my arm sleeves and pant legs to their absolute extremities, I’m chartreuse, teal—yellow-blue just outside of yellow, blue. When I shut my eyes, my heart is cobalt; my soul is orange; the pit of my stomach, an inky black. These colors look terrible on me. All guts about.

that vine

The singular vine doesn’t climb the house. It’s rooted eight feet away, stretching across the bramble backyard, angling upwards to point to an upstairs bedroom window, as if to say, “This bitch. It’s this bitch right here who sleeps behind the machinations of teenagers, red-heart-kissed paperwork they’ve excitedly all but figured out.” The vine points, points, and sniffs. The bitch turns. Wagner, Anne. The Friendship Book of Anne Wagner . 1795-1834

forever is finite: brick and mortar nostalgia

Earlier this week I read that Forever 21 is declaring bankruptcy. The death of the mall continues to leave large empty buildings and store fronts that are featured on Instagram reels by urban explorers exposing abandoned spaces. Some of these malls shelves still fully stocked with items waiting to be purchased as if the news came and everyone merely disappeared. A bizarre still life that no one is coming to paint. Part of me doesn't care that Forever 21 is closing. Just another place that sells cheap sweatshop clothing will be gone. I haven't been to Forever 21 in 17 years so I personally am not losing a space that I benefit from as a consumer or on any level spiritually. Another part of me mourns having brick and mortar stores that continue to vanish as an option. Is all shopping going to become an online activity? No trying on clothes in the dressing rooms with your girlfriends. Not that I am trying to glorify the dressing room experience. The dres...

Powered by Blogger

open thread (2026 May)

Comments

Post a Comment