“Your flowers, my garden”
by Clover Estrada Part One. The scars that trace down my skin,past my shoulders and down my backto my arms, to my arms, to my arms – They leave reflections … Continue Reading “Your flowers, my garden”
“Chisato Moritaka’s Lesson #1”
by James Sullivan September heat endures the classroom’s rotating fan. Sticky warmth travels the room in coiling currents, slicking pupils’ skin against uniforms. They are bored. The teacher’s entreaties blow … Continue Reading “Chisato Moritaka’s Lesson #1”
“Balcony” – Microfiction March Madness Contest HONORABLE MENTION
by Caneel Cheskin My prince guided me onto the balcony. Above, the dark sky hid behind wispy clouds. Orchestral music floated through the air. He bowed, offering me his hand. … Continue Reading “Balcony” – Microfiction March Madness Contest HONORABLE MENTION
“The Night Worker (The D Train)” – Microfiction March Madness Contest HONORABLE MENTION
by Richard P. Mayer Punching a tattered time card, robotically, her life is completed in small portions each night. She is a time-worn book nearing its final chapter, faded with … Continue Reading “The Night Worker (The D Train)” – Microfiction March Madness Contest HONORABLE MENTION
“A Blue Light on the Ceiling; A Cold Vein in My Arm” – Microfiction March Madness Contest WINNER
by Christopher Palmer Distorted and pale, projected on the ceiling. The familiar, warm buzzsaw sound. The feeling already starting to leave my hands. “Hello?” “Oh, hey.” “Yeah.” “Yeah, I’m just … Continue Reading “A Blue Light on the Ceiling; A Cold Vein in My Arm” – Microfiction March Madness Contest WINNER
“Learning the Hard Way”
by Felix Imonti In memory of my wife, Yukiko. She made my writing possible by managing so many of the trivial problems of life. Meeting Joyce just seemed to happen. … Continue Reading “Learning the Hard Way”
The CONN
by K.P. Taylor It was twilight in Holly Hills, and the streetlights had just come on, followed by a low, rhythmic humming. Disconcerting at first, the sound was gradually lost … Continue Reading The CONN
Return Policy
by Roberto Ontiveros Laina was not the kind of klepto that ever got caught, or rather: I was the only one who noticed the fountain pens behind her ears when … Continue Reading Return Policy
Acquaintances
by David Sapp Don’t get me wrong. I am generally content with the inhabitants of my life – those close to me. However, occasionally, I prefer the company of chance … Continue Reading Acquaintances
“NEW YEAR’S EVE,” “BODY AND SOUL,” “JANUARY DREAM,” and “THE LAST HOUSE YOU LIVED IN”
by Mark Jackley “NEW YEAR’S EVE” Upon inventing the puzzle, our forebears left the garden, searching for answers, oddly shaped pieces of the picture. Tonight, uncounted snowflakes land on cars, … Continue Reading “NEW YEAR’S EVE,” “BODY AND SOUL,” “JANUARY DREAM,” and “THE LAST HOUSE YOU LIVED IN”
A Satisfying Failure
by David Sapp Every Thanksgiving morning on the Gambier farm, while the women bustled about the warm kitchen in floured aprons over flowered print dresses, hips bumping at countertops, chairs … Continue Reading A Satisfying Failure
“Little Elegy,” “Kansas, 1950 “Dirge,” and “Nunc Dimmittus”
by Don Thompson “Little Elegy” Last night I found her name Listed in the catalog Of dead sisters. Just one of many—so many. Touching it, my finger burned, My tongue … Continue Reading “Little Elegy,” “Kansas, 1950 “Dirge,” and “Nunc Dimmittus”
“Stalled,” “The Familiar,” and “The Visitation”
by Jeanne Julian “Stalled” Once, I was corralled into competing against other tense and giddy youthful thespians delivering emotive monologues. Mid- recitation— mental block. Suspense. Voice stopped, choked by … Continue Reading “Stalled,” “The Familiar,” and “The Visitation”
“Ars Poetica,” “Nude Illusion,” and “Post Verbal”
by Darrell Dela Cruz “Ars Poetica” -For the Watergarden The pain has no singular outlet, dispersed amongst the nerves amplified in the spread which you rub as … Continue Reading “Ars Poetica,” “Nude Illusion,” and “Post Verbal”
The Marriage in Waiting
by Gregory T. Janetka Damn television sets. Three blaring away and the sun not yet up. Noxious distractions—news that’s not news, fearmongering, adverts for pills for conditions they don’t … Continue Reading The Marriage in Waiting
“alone,” “Second Honeymoon,” “Domestic Strife,” “auto-manic,” and “(St) Eve
by Cordelia Hanemann “alone” for Louis as for all “Second Honeymoon” a meditation on Bobbie Ann Mason’s “Shiloh” At Shiloh dead soldiers march across green new grass. “We could begin … Continue Reading “alone,” “Second Honeymoon,” “Domestic Strife,” “auto-manic,” and “(St) Eve