Amanda Chiado is the author of Vitiligod: The Ascension of Michael Jackson (Dancing Girl Press). Her poetry and short fiction has most recently appeared in RHINO, The Pinch Journal and Barren Magazine. Her work has been nominated for the Pushcart & Best of the Net. She is the Director of Arts Education at the San Benito County Arts Council, is a California Poet in the Schools, and edits for Jersey Devil Press.

VISIT WWW.AMANDACHIADO.COM

MICRO

"Thirteen" and "Self-Portrait as Fish"

By AMANDA CHIADO

The diving board holds you hostage, body
a synthesizer, pulses like an unsung oriole.