by Suzanne Craig-Whytock Last week, Sparrow turned to me suddenly and said, “When you die, what do you want me to do with you?” We were watching TV together, cozy under a blanket, his arm around my shoulders. I laughed in surprise, a little taken aback, and answered, “Honey, aren’t you jumping the gun?” He smiled sweetly and said, “You Read More
Author: Andre
Hiccup, Goes the Clock
by Samuel Strathman To think, there are still sweat shops, work camps,groups of men who force girlsfrom their schools to be slaves – Some people have to burnrecycling for a living,then they get sick and wonder whythey feel so polluted by the selfishnessof others. A bookie jumps a bad client,because he rather that clientbe stymied when it happens,that’ll leave internal Read More
Lake Nights
by Ryan Norman Moonlight laps the shoreline astiny-surfed feet dance on the pebblesin the stillness of night.Soft crashes of water on stone orchestratea ceremonious march toward sirens’soft sonnets—vows of forevertogether in the depths of the shallowglittered lake. His steps sink in the man-sown sandcovering the beach of dirt and stone hisheel toe, heel toe slidingone after the other—Soles pound to Read More
Cerberus began as an experiment in Vulcan’s forge
by Caroline Streff and Ray Ball Not content to dabble in golden fobs and adamantine chains,The hobbler stole his uncle’s notebookFrom its hiding place in the hollow of a tree.It barely held its shape, like a pillowcase all stuffed with dreams.He chose at random from the chapter of the Horrible.He sculpted the monster’s trunk from clayAnd crowned it with five Read More
After Retirement
by Eisuke Aikawa (translated by Toshiya Kamei) “Oh, I never imagined it’d be so popular,” the man formerly known as Great Might waves off the interviewer’s comment. Blessed with superhuman strength, he could crush an apple with one hand. In his youth, he made a name for himself as a sumo wrestler. However, a knee injury sustained in the ring Read More
Putting On Face Cream In Front Of The Mirror
by Ashly Curtis She’s not dead yet, but someday—my fingers tremble at the thought, performing my nightly ritual.I dip my middle finger in the soft white bowl and smear youthon my cheeks, nose, forehead, chin, stick out tongue at my reflectionin the glass, like she did at me when I was her mirror.For a brief moment, I call her spirit Read More
Strange Commandment
by Michael Igoe I want you to rise up,as if from sleep,feel the same wakefulnessyou get when you’re drowning.You must rise in bliss,let yourself play in traffic.You need to take part,in the multicolored parade,a vast opportunity to roast.Off the back porch,covered by your britchesI want the shirt off your back.Please fade into ancient hotelssip black coffee while you clean. Michael Read More
i want to live
by Linda M. Crate i’ve seen so manyhoney bees and bumble beesi know it is you visiting you’re the bee keeperwho’s now found his beesagain, i can’t believe you’re gonesometimesbut dementia took your mother she is a cruelmistressa demanding one; i am sorry that you forgotyou remembered mewhen you forgot others it made me wonder if there’ssomething in me the Read More
An Unsuitable Green
by Millicent Borges Accardi Shade of the color, the patternof clean fields,edible and charming, and, ina way, happy. You see, the callownest of life is its newness and hope,along with the promise of yetwhat is meant to stay. Green is the lackof winter, the end actuallyof a short story. Green ispleasantly alluring and easygoing.There is kelly and torch song andmoss, Read More
Jump
by Toni G. I envy your daring spirit andyour willingness to jump off cliffswith a scream as your parachute. I stood there wrapped in fear,as I watched you leap out intoyour future. Fear is for the masses you yelled,as your feet left hard grass coveredearth to the nothingness of air. You’ve always forgiven my cowardice,my reluctance to leave the ground.You Read More