Mistletoe and Sycamores

by Hally Winters “Of the many circumstances in my life for which I feel gratitude, these friendships shine with a particular brightness. They make me look eagerly to the future, to imagine all the conversations to come.” — The Crying Book by Heather Cristle Trees experience time differently. We drove up to see the snow. I had not driven with Read More

Missed You Again

by Nolcha Fox Lady with the Red Scarf at the Countdown Diner Did I misinterpret our eye contact? Sunday evening, Countdown Diner, you alone drinking wine, me with my back to you and the mirror in front of me, made eye contact several times. Don’t want to be misunderstood. Kicking myself for not saying anything to you. You have a Read More

Orchard Frost

by Ryan Norman Our hot breath plumed wet cloudsof snowstorms in your convertedpigsty on cold black nights— Frosted grounds of the orchard echoedour joy and the deer stood still. Quilts trapped the warmth of our fleshas I read Whitman into youreyes pressing a finger against flushed lips advancing akiss by the fire. Ryan Norman is a writer from New York Read More

cigarette butts

by Iolana Paedelt love,lightened by fire,only leaves dark red bruises. your lips touch my skin,we burn— fast and bright.half of me turns into ashes,the other half crashes onto silent ground,you let me go,i fall from your handsas you throw me away— glowing cigarette butts on the pavement,ruins of fallen lovers and broken hearts. Iolana Paedelt is a German writer and Read More

Mourning Routine

by ShivaRJoyce I was always the one to wake first. Some early, ungodly hour. It wasn’t because I was a so-called morning person but more that I loathed sleep for robbing me of my day and time. Some mornings the air still had a frosty chill to it that hadn’t been there the evening before. Boiling water on the gas Read More

memories of snow

by Lisa Reily a blur of trees, branches thick with snow,bent with the weight of white. chocolate mud as we step from the businto a flurry of snowflakes,skidding our way to the café, passing fat stray dogswho know the food is bad enoughthat scraps are on their way. back on the bus to eat sesame bars,to sip hot coffee from Read More

For L – – – –

by Andrew M. Bowen A kitten breeze frisks through the trees,the sun shines clear and gold;bright colors, skirts above the knees,the autos hum like bees. And I must find a way to say:“Let’s leave in lightning bold,pack up our hearts in summer hayand leave this murky way. “Your eyes inspire my heart with fireand freeze my soul with cold;so let’s Read More

Darn Dog Adopted Me Today

by Mary Ann Jacobs Sat on my porchSad eyes staring at meLike a pool of despairThumped his tailTake mePlease Don’t want no dogNever had oneDon’t know how toFeed himBathe himTake care of himDon’t want no dog Tongue hanging outLike clothes hanging on Granny’s clotheslineSlobbers up to meGoes under my handWants to be petted Don’t want no slobbering dogGo awayLeave me Read More

Visitation

by Tiffany Belieu Rainfall of tires on asphalt. Subconsciously,a count begins, un-mourned graveson the side of the highway. Guts the consequence of quickness.Creatures who leapwithout looking, spindly leg blown glass fragile, mar the pristinemourning gown of our drive time.Tragedy is an unfolded map in lap en route to an open casket.Lilies, a dozen ghost brides trumpetingmournfully from the backseat. In Read More

Winter Olympics

by Ashly Curtis My best friend and I ice skated on the kitchen floor,twirling off wooden chairs, gliding across tilein our pink ruffled socks. Salchows, Lutzes, evena rare triple axel or two. It was 1998. Olympic season.We held up handmade signs in the living room,blocky marker letters cheering on the figure skaters;Tara Lipinski etching beauty with her blades, carvingballerina. My Read More