By Carolyn Wright Enshrouded by the black chasm of night, my spirit awaits. The crackling of the grandfather fire and its wood smoke, intoxicate and call me to a time I no longer know. The scent of pine mixed with cedar surrounds my body as it wafts up on its…
By Cameron Burry His breath lay thick in the air, pumping out rhythmically like the exhaust from an old pickup truck. Though it was well into the middle of spring, the chill of the winter winds had not yet given up their claim on the stretch of dilapidated farmland that…
By Joseph Friedrichs The nature of life is so simple for me and my fellows so long as the money is there. Whores can be reached day and night and be ready for action within the hour. Food that will save you and food that will kill is on every…
By James Seals Someone suggested that I am the hyphen, that I am the dash that connects W.E.B. DuBois’s double-consciousness; DuBois’s beautiful concept that allows me to accurately describe my pain. I am the hyphen. Because I am neither Filipino nor American. I am the middle. I am the tick-mark;…
By Katie Appeldorn Thank you for applying to become a member of our team. You have successfully completed the personality portion of our online application process. We think of everyone here in our corporation as family. This is why we strenuously screen our applicants to ensure only the finest well-rounded…
By Jon Jackson “The boy ain’t nothing but bad,” he said. “Like his daddy.” Micah Mason dropped the hook into the water and the heavy rope snaked through his calloused hands. An unfiltered Camel hung from his lip and he squinted against the smoke. His blue Dickies were stuffed into…
By Joanne Eskreis I have to let you know how you look to me right now, holding and rocking you; you are so tiny. I watch you sleep peacefully, no movement other than sucking and the sudden jerks as you go deeper into sleep, while letting out a soft moan….
By Michael Keith Jerome Niarhos had no great affection for colored people. On the other hand, he had no deep animosity for them, either. He had never made a big scene about race, like his buddies in the Klan. Mostly, he didn’t think it was smart for the mayor’s office…
By Michael Rhodes It had been raining for three days. The perfectly manicured lawns were drenched, the flower beds saturated, the drains were overflowing with foaming, bubbling water. It seemed as if the weather was sad. The sky was ashen and gray, sheets of water pouring, thunder rumbling. The suburban…
By Jeremiah Bass “What’s the first thing you remember about the dream when you wake?” Dr. Fischer asked. “I remember the heat radiating off the sand,” I tell him just like I tell him every week when we talk. “Why does the heat seem important?” “It’s so intense that my…