Category Archives: Uncategorized

by Trish Hopkinson It so happens, I am tired of being a woman.And it happens while I wait for my children to grow into the burning licks of adulthood. The streaksof summer sun have gone, drained between gaps into gutters,and the ink-smell of report cards and recipe boxescringes me into corners. Still I would be satisfiedifContinue reading “Waiting Around”

by Rose McAleese (The last time you were home you had a cut on your forearm.You move to another city, where it healed.On a visit back, your fingers stumbled across said mark and begin to scratch at it.) This is that moment where “home” has become nothing more than a scar metaphor. Upon arriving to thisContinue reading “Carving”

by M. Forajter sarah i am anunremarkablewoman ahoney-drudgerlike the restthere is noroom in mybelly foranythingextraordinaryno opal wingslanguagescombs i am thepoet the jam-maker i haveno time nowords there isnothing left towring from theclock sarahwhat happenswhen we turnthirty i feel itcoming i neverimaginedanything after ifeel like that’swhen womenstart sweepingstart watchingtheir waist linesstart becomingbees.

by Ronnie K. Stephens When they talk of fatherhoodI hear words like diaper and swaddle and sleepless. Their eyes are alight with the simple joyof tiny humans with tiny hands and tiny feetand round bellies. But even grandparents can’t prepare youfor this kind of vocabulary. Neonatal Intensive Care.Fetal Cardiology.Pulmonary Stenosis.Aortic Valve.Surfactant therapy.Pneumothorax.Collapsed lung.PICC Line.Art Line.Gavage.Apnea.Bilirubin.Bradycardia.Continue reading “THE EXPECTANT FATHER”

Ronnie K. Stephens M. Forajter Rose McAleese Trish Hopkinson Stevie Edwards Logan Ellis Jake Matkov William Lessard Mik Everett Jennifer E. Hudgens Caroline Rayner Beyza Ozer Diana Bustos Paul Hanson Clark Nathan Wade Carter Isabelle Davis Melissa Newman-Evans McKenna Hickock-Washburn Christian Sammartino

by Rick Lupert First time brushing my teeth in CaliforniaStill wearing the Philadelphia clothes First time with the flat floss this sideof the Mississippi. Thanks to my childhood Iknow how to spell Mississippi. There’s a toaster with a facein my office. Almost convinced my wife tobuy it food. First time with the minty sensationin myContinue reading “Make Your Own Kind Of Music”

by Zachary Kocanda Two weeks ago, you say you ordered a pizza from the future due to daylight savings time. You say, “Time travel is real, Zach.” You hold up your phone, the app open, and I thank you for reminding me of daylight saving time, even if you say savings with an –s whenContinue reading “If We Can Put Fritos On A Pizza, Surely I Can Win Your Heart”

by Sarah Caulfield it starts like this: glitter-slick solidarity, elbows in my ribs in the nightcluband hysterical laughter loud as a distress flare in the night,the smear of lipstick on my teeth you rub off, your thumb in my mouth and your hair in the light, and the light is good here, it gilds you into anContinue reading “not about anyone you know”

by Suzanne Pearman at night, when you make me outby the lights of my eyesin the shadows, you will think my irises are sparklingwith happiness. it is onlyelectricity, reflected. I will try to concentrate my sadnessin the muscles of my face,so you askif I’m okay, and you will have seen mesadso oftenyou don’t notice. you’llContinue reading “sign language for the blind”

by Christopher Morgan I come plummeting / smoldering / into the hate song / the hate song / is rising / past all lies / all crossed lines / all memories pledged / to hate / and I say to you / bring all the pain / that moves me forward / as my angerContinue reading “Hate Song”