by Stephanie V Sears Extraordinary sympathies occur between humans and other species. In this particular case, it happened between two warm-blooded ones, though, I dare say, life’s unbridled imagination comes up with even stranger combinations than this one. I was in a dry spiny area of South Africa, volunteering in an animal sanctuary. My somewhat […]
by John B. Friedman Tater was well known to the trout clubs on Michigan’s Au Sable river. Early mornings or late afternoons fishing guests stood on the docks to watch him wade up and down casting, his loop as tight as a hairpin. Crystal drops fell from his line in the sun. His leader was
by Heather D Haigh Joan creaks out of the shower and wraps herself in a thick towel, clinging to a vestige of warmth. She shudders; another patch of rust on her forearm is growing. It brings to mind Brian’s medieval gauntlets, marred by rust after a particularly soggy re-enactment weekend and a leaky tent. She
by Lucy Arnold im thinking of finding a car thief tonightbecause im wondering if he knew you surely he didnt randomly think, yeah this househe must have known youand im desperate to know youyou held me when i was born buti know nothingi have your ashes, your notebooks, cassette tapes you recorded, a fucking book
by Martin Willis I was just twelve when I first understood that maps could be deceptive. Not the harmless kind of errors—like a misspelled name or a river drawn a bit off—but the more profound kind of deceit, the sort that wipes entire places off the face of the earth. It all started with
by Margaret Pearce Once upon a time there was an Institute of Technology inhabited by Administration (busy), teachers (conscientious) technicians (eccentric) and sundry member of the V.P.S.A. It was an old overcrowded little place. The Administration (busy), struggled with Murphy’s law that anything that can go wrong will and prayed for better days. The teachers
This is not quite a fairy story Read More »
by Terry Barr It’s not often that I think about the 80s band The Fixx even though I liked them and they had more hits than you might think. I love how lines come to me when I’m trying to think of the way to get into a story, too. They say you don’t always
by Justin Alcalá There’s something about a train that calms me even on this glum Halloween night. I remember when my childhood revolved around the holiday. Unspoken magic once wove its way into creating costumes and decorating. But the wonder is gone, pilfered by adult obligations. Today, when I feel all alone on this train,
by Anthony J. Mohr I. The object of the game is to conquer the world by occupying every territory on the board, thus eliminating all your opponents. —Rules of Play for Risk, Parker Brothers’ Continental Game I cringed with my soldiers in Australia. There was only one way in and one way out— through Indonesia.
by Michael Shawyer The underground train rocked and my cello case toppled towards Lonely Lennie from Leamington Spa. “If that hits me I’ll sue for PTSV.” PTSV? What was he? Special forces? I’d never met Lonely Lennie before and profoundly hoped this would be the only time. I needed a cushion. Not to sit on.