Swagger & Ink

Stories that traverse the landscapes of womanhood, aging, and the American West—where grit meets grace.

Amanda Barusch 8/20/21 Amanda Barusch 8/20/21

“Patient Zero” (A COVID tale)

In Feb, 2020, a student in New Zealand accused me of infecting her with COVID. Roiling with guilt at 3am, I wrote this story.

Amanda Barusch 9/29/14 Amanda Barusch 9/29/14

On a dusty path in rattlesnake country. I once felt a bullet breeze past my ear.

Amanda Barusch 1/21/14 Amanda Barusch 1/21/14

Stumbling on the wee hour sidewalk, a sweet gallant punctures my whiskey fog.

Amanda Barusch 6/3/13 Amanda Barusch 6/3/13

Thank you all for coming. Mom would have been pleased, but she would have a made a snide joke of it, you know?

Amanda Barusch 7/9/10 Amanda Barusch 7/9/10

Mary’s Beauty Shop had a door with little bells that tinkled when you walked in. It smelled of perfume and bleach.

“Breathe Deeply, Read Widely.”

— Amanda Barusch