By Amy Fontenot Mother checked her lipstick in the rear-view mirror as we pulled to a stop at the red light. We’ve driven hours to Atlanta so that we wouldn’t run into my mother’s social circle. My stomach churned again, either from the nerves or the hormones. Mother glanced with contempt at my small…
By Alex Scarelli Abby told me she had Stage IV breast cancer. There would be no miracle cure, no last minute turnaround. She would die in six months, three if she declined evasive medication. Sitting across from one another in the kitchen of our apartment, still dressed in pajamas and…
By Gerald Solomon Pictures of an artist’s pictures, in a book. Diego. He sits on a chair. All of a piece. A chair, curve-backed, body-shaped― already something of a puzzle. (A chair says it must be itself alone if to mimic human flesh and bone.) A bare floor, an elder…
By Grace Maselli I was born into worry the way some people are born into money. Vexation meets me in the morning, opening its cloaked arms, drawing me near. I worry about my kids and my husband. I’m filled with concern about the future, the past, pesticides and cortisol flooding….
By William Worsham I have spent most of the meaningful years of my life being a father. So I only do what I know. I tell you, “Go this way!” Or that. You go your imprudent way through subsistence somehow despite me. You drift along, a leaf upon a sidewalk…
By Dawnell Harrison The shrouded veil of clouds Lingers like ghosts In a graveyard as the vexing Moon shines her shattered Light to the ground – A kaleidoscope of golds Filter down from the yellow Moon in waves.
By Rhea Salas Year 2035 Michael Stone has been a Marine since he was 21 years old, and has dedicated the last 15 years to its service. Working his way to the top, Mike found himself as Sergeant in his platoon, constantly being sent out into Cambodia to search for…
His ignominy sleep with thee in the grave, But not remember’d in thy epitaph! –– Shakespeare By Michael Keith Professor Emanuel Doople had taught at Marligold College his entire career — 47 years, to be exact. He was well liked and respected and did his best to meet his students’…
By Lynn Vroman “So, do you like the place?” Frank unbuttoned his suit jacket and leaned back against the dainty chair. “It’s a bit pricey, don’t ya think?” The sound of violins filled the dim room as waiters dressed in tuxedos pranced between the tables of diners. “Well, yeah, but…
By Amanda Paulger The lights lit up the sky, some vast darkness carrying the sounds of stars over the ocean like the ghostly antithetical cries of sirens, lost in the crash of waves. On the backs of those wanderers that climbed up the vast cliffs that rose up over the…