Comfort Objects
By Nik Shultz I am taking a break from talking about dolls now, on account of the contest we are currently holding. If you haven’t seen we are accepting writing … Continue Reading Comfort Objects
What the DVT Loves about the MRI
By Mary Christine Delea is its cool detachment. The machine hasnothing to lose or gain no matterwhat is discovered. The MRI, all metaland lights, knows only its own sounds, noises … Continue Reading What the DVT Loves about the MRI
A Straight Shot Between Friends
By Bonnie Larson Staiger after Margaret Haberman’s “How to Make Espresso” In the center of the continentmy landlocked coffee machinegurgles and spits mannaand crema in my insulated mug.Not bad actually … Continue Reading A Straight Shot Between Friends
Comfort Contest!
Writing can be one spectacular coping mechanism for disaster, and the past year has inspired many brilliant pieces. But turning pain into art about pain is one thing. How can … Continue Reading Comfort Contest!
High School Fashion Dolls
By Nik Shultz When I was just about the age when it was no longer cool to care about dolls, Monster High dolls came out, creating a phenomenon that I … Continue Reading High School Fashion Dolls
Reckless
By William Cass When I was a little boy, I lived for a short time with my uncle’s family while my mom, his younger sister, spent a stint in rehab. … Continue Reading Reckless
What Would Houdini Do?
By Jan Zlotnik Schmidt (with thanks to Judy, who asked the question) “Man that is born falls into a dream like a man who falls into the sea. If he … Continue Reading What Would Houdini Do?
A History
By Nik Shultz So by now you might have a sense of my history with dolls, but you still might be confused about why I find them interesting. Let’s look … Continue Reading A History
Mrs. Hardy
Steven M. Smith’s poems have appeared in The River, Hole in the Head Review, Rattle, Old Red Kimono, Plainsongs, Poetrybay, Ibbetson Street Press, Cabildo Quarterly, Better Than Starbucks, Offcourse, The Writing Disorder, The Worcester Review, and Mudfish. He is the Writing Center director at … Continue Reading Mrs. Hardy
Four-Leaf Clover
By Zhihui Zou It was a peaceful hilltop covered by clovers, three-leaf clovers. But that spring, a four-leaf clover grew from a seed that had traveled over in the wind … Continue Reading Four-Leaf Clover
An Explanation
By Nik Shultz So you might be wondering, Why dolls? But before I can answer that question I think I need to give a bit of backstory. I never quite … Continue Reading An Explanation
The Empty Nest: Pandemic Winter
By Jan Zlotnik Schmidt On a winter day I watch my golden doodle, Rufus, amble across the snow-crusted lawn, just a trace coating flattened, dead grass and stray stalks of … Continue Reading The Empty Nest: Pandemic Winter
Hello from the Dollhouse: An Introduction
Meet our new editor of The River for the Spring 2021 semester!
Apparent Pause
by: John Zedolik For the past four years, John Zedolik has been an adjunct English instructor at a number of universities in and around Pittsburgh. He has published poems in … Continue Reading Apparent Pause
Hindsight
by: Aaron Sandberg Aaron Sandberg still plays his Sega Genesis. His writing has appeared or is forthcoming in West Trade Review, Asimov’s, The Offing, Sporklet, Lowestoft Chronicle, Abridged, Giallo, Right … Continue Reading Hindsight
Trespass
by: Aaron Sanberg Aaron Sandberg still plays his Sega Genesis. His writing has appeared or is forthcoming in West Trade Review, Asimov’s, The Offing, Sporklet, Lowestoft Chronicle, Abridged, Giallo, Right … Continue Reading Trespass