Shoebox
By Frank Modica I am grapevines and olive trees heavy-laden with broken promises, working for another man’s harvest in the hot Sicilian sun, I am basil leaves torn in ragged … Continue Reading Shoebox
The Anti-Midas Touch
By William Musgrove I couldn’t afford a car, so I walked everywhere. The bottoms of my shoes looked likesanded wood. Each day, I visited the statue in the park. The plaque … Continue Reading The Anti-Midas Touch
The Decision
I was right to be fearful of after-school detention. But clearly not enough, for that is where I found myself on one dark and stormy Tuesday afternoon. “This is about … Continue Reading The Decision
Over the Brook
Mother and Daughter often liked to go for walks around their woodland home between the hours of four and five pm. In the summertime the trees stood at the perfect … Continue Reading Over the Brook
A Candle
Louisa was a bright young girl. She could read and write from a very early age, baffling her parents, who had never particularly tried to kindle such a studious attitude … Continue Reading A Candle
“Unforgivable”
by Joe Ducato “Unforgivable” My crime comes back when the world is still; when she’s lying next to me, quiet as snow; when darkness pounds my brain; when my hands … Continue Reading “Unforgivable”
“5th Avenue and South Second Street” and “Golden Years”
by Thomas Elson “5th Avenue and South Second Street” One evening in this dying river town on the eastern part of the state – whose biggest exports are corn … Continue Reading “5th Avenue and South Second Street” and “Golden Years”
Chionis of Barry’s Corner
by Matt Gillick Early this morning—three a.m., to be exact—the bronze statue of Chionis of Sparta that overlooks Barry’s Corner in Allston, Massachusetts steps down from his pedestal. The legendary … Continue Reading Chionis of Barry’s Corner
Monopoly Money
by Linda McMullen Lionel Price – yes, that Lionel Price – former wunderkind, current tycoon, Darrow Capital founder and CEO, and ex-husband of that actress who transformed from manic pixie … Continue Reading Monopoly Money
“Awkward Encounters of the Worst Kind”
by Catherine Moscatt “Awkward Encounters of the Worst Kind” I go to the GI with alarming frequency. I stare at the models of intestines next to latex gloves and tissues. … Continue Reading “Awkward Encounters of the Worst Kind”
“Henry’s Room” and “Birds on Parole”
by Bruce Robinson “Henry’s Room” When the wind blows the door closedand shuts Henry inside the bathroom,he’s perhaps reminded of the mysteryof the shrewd proviso, or concerned aboutthe erstwhile inviolabilityof … Continue Reading “Henry’s Room” and “Birds on Parole”
“Redneck Tell No Lies”
by Gerard Sarnat “Redneck Tell No Lies” “You like tomato and I like tomahtoLet’s call the whole thing off” -Ira and George Gershwin Gerard Sarnat has been nominated for the … Continue Reading “Redneck Tell No Lies”
Makarov Coast
by Nelly Shulman In the spring, Maxim Makarov’s dog fell ill. At first, Red tried to bark, quickly running along the coast and jumping into a flaky boat. The dog … Continue Reading Makarov Coast
“Art Bully”
by Catherine Moscatt “Art Bully” The magazine was covered in paint. It was art class after all. He had been pushing, prodding, provoking. So I took the magazine and stuck … Continue Reading “Art Bully”
“Home Manufactures,” “Acorns in a Mast Year,” “Moosehead Lake,” “Nature Did That,” and “American Bittern”
by Charles Weld “Home Manufactures” We could call the creek behind the school Sea Cook Creek because that’s where our black lab, dead years ago now, dove without warning into … Continue Reading “Home Manufactures,” “Acorns in a Mast Year,” “Moosehead Lake,” “Nature Did That,” and “American Bittern”
“Lake Death” and “Natural Causes”
by Phil Huffy “Lake Death” The killer left few clues that might be found. The violence could not have lasted long. Right to the heart a mighty shock did pound, … Continue Reading “Lake Death” and “Natural Causes”