The Ombre of Absence | Rose Maria Woodson

Rose Maria Woodson holds an MA in Creative Writing from Northwestern University and an MA In Community Development from North Park University. Her chapbook, Skin Gin, was the 2017 winner in the QuillsEdge Press chapbook contest. She is also the author of the mini-chapbook, Dear Alfredo (Pen and Anvil Press.) Her poems have been published in numerous journals including Kettle Blue Review, Clarion, Gravel, Wicked Alice, OVS Magazine, Magnolia: A Journal of Women’s Socially Engaged Literature, Volume II, Jet Fuel Review, Stirring, Scape Goat Review and the Mojave River Review. Her short story, “Cupcake Payne”, is forthcoming in Issue 46 of the Oyez Review.   ____________________________________   Dear Alfredo,    Finally I have found work. Inside an oyster.  I put a spin on things, little pings that piss the mess out of  you, like being one car behind the car that takes the last parking spot, paper cuts, cheap ass garbage bags that break when you overstuff them, leaving  you in a carp