by Ross Jeffery The carpet’s rough. Its bristly nibs bite into my skin. Can’t breathe, my father splayed out on top of me, his full weight baring down, choking the oxygen from my lungs. Muscles burn, cramp throttles my calf, a snake coiling around a tree trunk. But still he pushes me to the carpet. Sweat covers us. We are Read More
Tag: submit
Elefante Azul
And now, straight from his North American tour, we introduce the luchador El Elefante Azul. He has adopted the costume of his wrestling hero and brings a message: Submit to Elephants Never! Until July 31st we seek submissions of flash fiction, art, poetry, creative nonfiction, reviews, or articles for August and September publication. Pachyderms not required, and we offer prompts Read More
Half Birthday
Pardon the interruption, but we would like to take a moment to celebrate. Today Elephants Never celebrates our half birthday. Thank you to everyone who has read our Trunkated Tales and B-Sides. And welcome if you’ve discovered us for the first time. To celebrate six months online, we offer six pachyderm proverbs that illustrate our plans and thoughts for the Read More
Martial Arts Movies
I blame Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. With The Karate Kid, they made me believe that a scrawny white boy could become a combat master. And, for children in my generation, they provided a family-friendly gateway into the world of martial arts movies. Having dashed exuberantly through that door, I have never looked back. Dojo Dreams “I lied, I don’t Read More
Ebb Tide
In case you had not guessed it, I am a fan of elephants — wild pachyderms, cartoon elephants, stuffies, whatever. And I am inclined, in this space, to endorse those adopting an elephant logo, mascot, or business purpose. Sadly, however, not all who invoke the elephant can be part of this herd. Which brings me to Alabama football. Because contrary Read More
Submit
“It is over, Philandro.” Leopard-headed Kotiya crossed his brawny arms and bared his fangs at the prisoner. Around him, the man-handed hyenas of the crater valley cackled evilly. Philandro knelt, his thick, gray legs chained and bent uncomfortably beneath him. A second set of shackles wrapped his forelimbs, linked to his tusks, and even circled the midpoint of his trunk. Read More