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 Andrea Warren The white color of innocence drips From my silky transcended span As the water ripples an outline Of my graceful refined body Tenderly I reach back to guide My precious little ones Anticipating our wild surroundings And their tendency to playfully wander Many hues dance about our…
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 Jon Jackson “Soup or salvation?” she said. “Beg your pardon?” He glanced around the room. A few old men sipped coffee and scanned the local paper. Dust drifted through the sunlight escaping the aluminum blinds like glitter in a snow globe. Fluorescent lights buzzed sporadically and an ancient window…
By James Rushmore The waxing moon balances on the pine. Lonely brook meanders through the scrub brush, The mayflies hatch without mouths; No need to Eat; But just to make love without kissing. The June night befalls the fallen fish mine, The honey bees sleep, the petals close; lush. A…
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 Moira Crooks Come sit beside me on the deck The wood is fragrant and hot, the air Silent and holding its breath. Birds are hushed in the spindly trees and even the river is sullenly asleep. Violet orbs of sweetness await their fate, A few sacrificed to taste, you…
By Lois Hard Rain cascades from her cheeks as she mourns the only person she ever really knew. When the advocate comes, he will plead her case, but not until she completes her deed. There is still hope though, even as the liquid drips from her fingertips, and her ashen…