First published by Hanuman Books in 1986, Bread and Water is the debut short story collection by the renowned poet Eileen Myles, assembling six stories with an autobiographical flavor, of being a queer, working-class poet with a penchant for mischief. Stories include: "Light Warrior", "21, 22, 23…, "Merry Christmas Mr. Title", "Bath, Maine", "Bread and Water", and "Everybody Would Go Play Cards at Eddie and Nonie's".

Eileen Myles (b. 1949) is an American writer, poet, artist, teacher, and playwright. They are the author of more than twenty books, including Sappho's Boat, Chelsea Girls, Afterglow, and For Now.