Quarantines & Creative Communities
by Lowell Warren The severity of the Covid-19 situation seemed to hit us out of nowhere. One day we were told to wash our hands; the next day schools closed, … Continue Reading Quarantines & Creative Communities
The Way That Time Passes Through My Fingers
by Ave Jeanne Ventresca Ave Jeanne Ventresca (aka: ave jeanne) is the author of nine chapbooks of poetry that reflect social and environmental concerns. Her most recent collection, Noticing The Colors of … Continue Reading The Way That Time Passes Through My Fingers
The Little Blue Painting
by David Plimpton It was only about ten inches square, the little blue painting, an oil or an acrylic or some combination, with perhaps a medium added to give it … Continue Reading The Little Blue Painting
The Nostalgia Contest!
Hello, everyone! We are excited to announce that this spring The River will be holding a Nostalgia writing & art contest! These past 20 years we’ve witnessed some hilarious fads, … Continue Reading The Nostalgia Contest!
How Being Born in Jail Saved My Life
by Kate Rose My mom is coming. I haven’t seen her in, like, my whole life. Literally. Crazy, huh? She gave birth to me, then she was gone. I’m pretty … Continue Reading How Being Born in Jail Saved My Life
Thinking of You on My Way to Return Late Library Books
by Steven M. Smith My poems have appeared in publications such as Rattle, Poem, Old Red Kimono, Plainsongs, Poetrybay, Ibbetson Street Press, and Mudfish. When I am not spending time writing poetry and reading, I enjoy exercising, … Continue Reading Thinking of You on My Way to Return Late Library Books
Roadside Assistance
by Steven M. Smith My poems have appeared in publications such as Rattle, Poem, Old Red Kimono, Plainsongs, Poetrybay, Ibbetson Street Press, and Mudfish. When I am not spending time writing poetry and reading, I enjoy exercising, … Continue Reading Roadside Assistance
Modern Forces and the Meaningful Metaphor
by Mark Antony Rossi There are those convinced the fundamentals of writing hasn’t changed in a thousand years. An ink well, a parchment, an idea and quiet time are the … Continue Reading Modern Forces and the Meaningful Metaphor
Robert Mapplethorpe
by Lowell Warren I first read Patti Smith’s memoir Just Kids when I was seventeen. Just Kids chronicles Smith’s relationship with artist Robert Mapplethorpe after they meet as twenty-one year … Continue Reading Robert Mapplethorpe
Red Dawn
by Sarah Marquez
Fall
by Edward Lee
Waiting
by Fred Cheney From the window of the barnloft, the girl watched him hunt in the big field each morning. Watched, as he succeeded at once and went home early. … Continue Reading Waiting
All Upon the Rising Sun
by Abasiama Udom Abasiama Udom is a poet and writer. She currently is studying Education and has interests in matters of the afterlife, human nature, politics and creativity. When not writing Abasiama is sleeping, … Continue Reading All Upon the Rising Sun
Anarcho-punk
by Rowan Bagley An integral part of the punk movement is the focus on direct forms of activism, which can vary from graffiti to rioting depending on the intended message. … Continue Reading Anarcho-punk
Just Like Everybody Else
“The quote pushed me to accept that I have something to share that no one else can, while reminding me that my unique position and perspective should do less to separate me and more to bond me to the collective whole of human experience.”
Remember The Rock
“As I neared the work site, my father was standing with his weight leaning on a long metal bar, bucket hat and tinted sunglasses, leather work gloves, and a watchful look to examine how much of this he was going to have to explain and how much he was going to be able to leave unsaid because I am his son.”