Millie Kemp

“My Relationship With Sleep” by Millie Kemp

Submitted to Contest #224

I can’t sleep. At least, not when I’d like to. Once, I could. But not anymore. When I was young, I prided myself on the ability to fall asleep anywhere. When my family traveled, I bragged to my brothers that I could sleep on the plane while they couldn’t. I slept in the car on road trips, or on the 10 minute drive to the grocery store. My friends chided me for being the first to drift during sleepovers, but I never minded it. I didn’t wish to partake in the gossip and let myself leave to the solitude of sleep instead. My first 2 years in ...

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“Taking the Photo Before it's Gone” by Millie Kemp

Submitted to Contest #144

The ground is a long way down. But I’ve already hit rock bottom, so in contrast, it’s simply a small leap to the moss covered floor. I wonder if it’s better down there, surrounded by motherly trees that litter the forest floor with green leaves, wet with fresh rain. But I like it up here, in the trees themselves. It gives me a much better view of the world around me.  I should take a picture, I think. Old habitual thinking that is slowly creeping back. I sigh and lean my head against the rough bark and take a mental picture. This, I kn...

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“Stars” by Millie Kemp

The woman sat in her rocking chair, tracing her frail finger across a photo in her book. Her photo album, filled with memories. But she couldn’t recall anything. Something tugged in the back of her memory while glazing over a photo of a girl in front of a large building. The startling green eyes are what drew the woman in. But she just couldn’t remember. I recognize her don’t I? Perhaps not, she thought. She continued to flip through the pages, sweeping away her grayed hair as she went through the book. Angry tears threatened to fall as she ...

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“Through the Glass” by Millie Kemp

Submitted to Contest #118

Day 1 On the first day, I opened my eyes. Or perhaps they were already open, but I was just now seeing for the first time. My view of the world was tinted by foggy glass, but I could make out shapes that were large and square. I didn’t know what any of it meant. What I did know was that I was cold. So, so cold; the freezing temperature made me want to shiver but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t turn, twist, sit down or jump. I was still, and something told me I always had been, and that I always would be. A strange green cone structure was to my...

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“The Fence” by Millie Kemp

Submitted to Contest #116

The sign read, “No visitors past 7pm, please be respectful of this. Thank you.” It’s pristine state was taunting me, daring me to disobey. “But.. It's already 8:00!” I cried out. I kicked my feet on the ground, acting like the stubborn kid I was. In doing so, I scuffed my favorite pair of shoes; my purple skechers.  “No! Nonono!” I began to cry, big fat tears streaming down my face. I ran my small, pudgy hands through my brown hair as I threw a fit of sorts. I shook with anger and sorrow as I sat my backside down on the concrete with ...

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“Disconnected ” by Millie Kemp

Submitted to Contest #115

My alarm goes off. I get up. I move with numb legs to the bathroom to get ready. I get dressed. I eat. All part of my daily routine. It’s the same, every day. I no longer feel anything. “Ugh, I’m going to be late again!” I said to my mom as I grabbed my waffle and my backpack on my way to the door. “Maia, you really need to start getting up earlier!” my mom yelled back to me, exasperated with my tardy attendance. I had been late the past four days and was about to be late yet again. “Yes, I remember from the last ten times you told me, th...

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