by Melissa Blank You never believed in ghosts. But if ghosts are not real, how do you explain what is right before your eyes? Are you losing your mind? You blink, hard. The man who could be your father sits in the corner of the coffee shop. You watch him…
by John Grey Raccoons stare at their reflection in the clear edge of the pond. “Wow we really do look like bandits.” Deer find an old water-logged paperback of Felix Salten’s “Bambi,” lick through its pages, never until then knew how capable they were of sorrow, despair and redemption. Thanks…
by Margaret McNellis Rose’s elbows trembled. A drop of sweat splashed onto the red jigsaw mat beneath her face. She scrunched her eyes shut and tried to remember to breathe. She tried to remember that this was what she wanted. She tried to remember that she signed up for this,…
by Ali Znaidi Prologue Aroma of honeysuckle. —Dust particles falling through her hair. Scene Snowflakes were falling on the street. —Sappho was in her balcony experimenting w/ throwing jasmine in all directions. Epilogue A thick fog appeared. —A halo of Sapphic scents covered all the city.
by Christy Bailes Inspiration has black eyes that cut colors, floating in aged wisdom so ripe others misunderstand dark for evil, when it is light, missing enormous heart pouring warm knowledge so silently, so slowly, so perfectly that only once she has gone, can I see what she left in…
by Cécile Barlier I seem like a perfectly normal person. No one suspects I count wiggling worms as I go to bed instead of counting sheep. Oh! I know! This is not a good strategy! You’re thinking, “Why is she counting wiggling worms when she can count sheep like everyone…
By Cameron Burry “How to Pick Your Dream Profession” By Julian Flowers To find your dream profession, you need to find your passion. What is it that you want to do with your life? Why is that what you want to do? Do you only want a paycheck or is…
We recently asked writers to submit their holiday-themed haiku to The Penmen Review in celebration of today, December 22, which is National Haiku Day. Here are some of the best submissions: Auntie, In the Guest Room, With a Hamper Looking for places To hide that dreaded fruitcake: An annual…
By Angela Carter It was a rainy Saturday morning. The kind of day that softens parents just enough to allow their children to wear pajamas until lunch and watch Fraggle Rock in numb silence for hours. Struck by the contrast of the utter stillness inside my grandparents’ home and the…
Two Toos By Michael Williams Freddy the frog flipped a fish- Breaded and boiled was his wish. He heaved and hoed in a hurry To get wet on the set of his movie. Tiny tassels of tinsel tweaked his head, It was a wondrous weaved wig he said. The delirious…