ALT A hand holds a copy of Little Patuxent Review ‘s latest issue in front of green plants. The cover of the issue features art by Laure Drogoul—an image from a performance art piece where a hand is transformed into a fountain pen. Each fingertip has a pen tip and ink attached to the nail. Scribbles fill the white background.

ALT Text reads: Emily Holland ONE DAY I WILL LOSE MY DUOLINGO STREAK I’m waiting for the green owl to teach me how to say what I’m afraid to put into words. I don’t need this, but am full of wanting. Is it too much to attempt five languages at once? Can I take them all? On good days, Duo treats me like a considerate lover, asks if I am prepared for more. I almost always am. I try to be the best student, top the leaderboard week after week. I know this says something about my desires, but that is not why I’m here. I want to be successful at something that takes me outside of myself. I want to know all the ways to say “good morning” to you. This is something else we can count as good communication.

ALT poem continued: You are a specialist, with only one language to master. I’m reminded you’re already bilingual. I’m attracted to what I lack. After sex one morning – a rare occasion – you turn away from me, pick up your phone. A notification. You have fallen behind. I hate that this is who we have become, letting an app interrupt without thought. But, sure, don’t lose your streak. It doesn’t matter that I wasn’t finished with you. I’m barely holding on.

ALT mirror selfie of a genderqueer person wearing blue-tinted sunglasses, a hunter green shirt, and a black bomber jacket, holding a blue iphone to take the photo

ALT Light pink and purple graphic resembling a computer screen with tabs open, reading: DC’s LGBTQ+ Literary Festival OutWrite 2023 Save the Date! August 11-13, with rainbow book OutWrite DC logo in bottom corner.

ALT A copy of Black Warrior Review, Fall/Winter 2021 sits on a white blanket. The cover features an image of a statue of a man smelting metal.

ALT Poem by Emily Holland: Lesbian Bed Death as Digital Mimesis sometimes i miss the newness the unfamiliarity my hands did not always know your body like this spent bored quiet Cate Blanchett as Carol and she's smoking staring [thinks about pussy in silence] we're each on our phones in bed each refusing to cross the expanse of mattress between our backs airdrop an image without laughing or saying anything Cate Blanchett and Sandra Bullock in suits in comic sans running across the top "this is lesbian sex" remember our first kiss years ago the one i almost walked away from out there in the freezing rain you begged me to stay

ALT Photo of text message: Super excited for coffee and oat milk now. I LOVE oatmilk so much! Been getting iced lattes with Oatmilk lately, yum!!