Constant Muses

Kindra M. Austin is the author of the novel, Magpie in August. Constant Muses, Austin’s debut book of poetry and prose, is a tribute to those who inspire her—most notably, her late mother. "We served enormous club sammiches made on freshly baked French bread yesterday at your memorial luncheon. The deli at your favorite grocery store had prepared the tasty beauties, and I know you would have been impressed. I cut the sammiches with great precision, like you would have done, providing equally sized portions. Seriously, Mom. I was hyper-focused. Because putting all of my attention into minute details that no one else would have given one good goddamn about, was far easier than watching our family and friends walk through the doors with cards, and pathetically arranged faces."