FeaturesThe Smoke (Break) by John Riebow
The Smoke (Break) The sun danced through the swaying branches of the Serviceberry trees as the two young women plopped themselves onto a green bench, pulling cigarette packs from their purses. They…
Features
FeaturesR.I.P. Lucky Robert Pearlman by Brandon Jenkins
R.I.P. Lucky Robert Pearlman Robert Ian Pearlman was a statesman and prolific writer. He had spent the better part of forty-nine years telling stories of oppression, revenge, greed, dominance and ultimately, triumph.…
PoetryWandering Alone by Linda Sacco
Wandering Alone I wander through the zoo alone, surrounded by animals. Over the heads of a family, beside a pram, I hear, “Don’t go wandering off!” I watch tiger cubs clamour for…
FeaturesThe Nuisance-at-First by John Gabriel Adkins
The Nuisance-at-First Powerline Andy is voice-strong, and he hand-dangles from black cables about twenty-nine feet away, yelling at you. And you can’t get closer—Andy and his cables are always about-twenty-nine feet away,…
PoetryPaw Prints in a Concrete Sidewalk by David Pring-Mill
Paw Prints in a Concrete Sidewalk The sun has reached its winter zenith, with shadows long, with gentle, creeping light. As I trudge, there is something immensely satisfying, seeing animal paw prints…
FictionGypsy Moth Summer by Patricia Flaherty Pagan
Gypsy Moth Summer All I really heard was “accident” and “your brother.” The music vacuum had clued me in that something was wrong. There was no Carole King, no Don McLean, not…
PoetryBattlefield National Park by Becky Marietta
Battlefield National Park When my teenage son shouts at me that I am “worthless” as his father retreats hastily behind closed lids, feigning sleep, (perhaps because he agrees), I flee, climb into…
PoetryA Sip of You by Scott Hotaling
A Sip of You As I take a sip of wine that I hope will blind me from my sins, I notice a man drowning himself in scotch and ask him if…
FictionMy Savior by Alex Doe
My Savior When I flunked tenth grade for the third time, my parents gave up on me. They kicked my ass to the curb with suitcase in hand, and I don’t blame…
PoetryGravel Road by Mariell Stennes
Gravel Road The grumble of the engine, Louder as it comes towards me, Watching the neighbor boy, As he drives the old pickup, Down the gravel road, Down the dirt, And the…
PoetryParrot on Her Shoulder by Carol Hamilton
Parrot on Her Shoulder We are old now though we only spoke of it in laughing tones You swore you would sit on your porch and watch the world pass by a…
PoetryRituals by Carol Hamilton
Rituals They give our lives meaning we laughed to each other at sunset as we again raised the bear safe at timberline and suddenly realized no bear was likely at that altitude.…
FeaturesThe Start of Something by Mark Plummer
The Start of Something The last stains of night linger on the clifftops like an old bruise as Matt pulls the car into the layby. He cuts the engine and immediately there’s…
FictionThe Ruins by Alexandra Hinojosa
The Ruins Lucia’s eyes looked through the viewfinder at the green and blue contrast of the coast. The car window was rolled down. The wind tousled her hair. She stared, not daring…
PoetryHow to Eat Cherries by Ian Stuart
How to Eat Cherries In a summer garden languidly. Piled in a blue bowl, sun polishing their gloss; the name’s soft consonants springs water in your mouth. Don’t hold it by the…
PoetrySide Effects by Ian Stuart
Side Effects Danger! This course of action may seriously damage your health! There are reports of dizziness, a spinning sensation in the early stages. You may become restless and irritable. Weight loss…
PoetryMan Hollowed Out Wooden Leg to Smuggle Iguanas by Ian Stuart
Man Hollowed Out Wooden Leg to Smuggle Iguanas I would have got away with it but for the noise – claws scratching at the wood, those genteel coughing sounds iguanas make. “One…
Poetryuntitled by JR Vork
untitled tail wind skims her coast salty strength poetry
Poetryuntitled by JR Vork
untitled storm clouds stalk tender grasp leaves
FictionLike the Hopper Man by Vincent Barry
Like the Hopper Man Tonight, I turn on the ‘Easy Listening’ channel and shadow dance under an old moon breaking improbably through half-opened, weathered window shutters. As I do, I retreat into…