By Alyssa Trivett You seep, loosely filing into paper pavement and bleeding clear ink. Filled cavity. Flossing into charred broken bottle puzzle piece corners, an art project sifting in a parking lot this hungover evening. Alyssa Trivett is a wandering soul from the Midwest. She chirps down coffee while scrawling lines on the back of gas … Continue reading Parking Lot Puddle
Poems by Ben Nardolilli
Reconciliation and Distribution Why the referencing? I don’t want to get a zero Why the problem with citation language? because I want a net settlement Why the affirmation? because I want to pull the schedule. Why consent to the distribution? it’s the only way to merge with the field Keenly Developed Moral Bankruptcy I play … Continue reading Poems by Ben Nardolilli
Afternoon Jack
By Alyssa Trivett Afternoon Jack I dub thee, with the cigar hanging out of your mouth, a half-broken toothbrush tree branch lingering over the pool ledge. Old construction and computer equipment take up residence in the back of your mashed up boxcar, glued and gluten free with duct tape, as you glide over those scarred … Continue reading Afternoon Jack
Guns And More Guns
By Tim Clark For a time I worked as a construction laborer. It was taxing work, but it had some pleasant moments. Once we built a basement out by the river running past the town where I lived. It was a secluded beautiful spot. Surrounded by trees, and close enough you could hear the water … Continue reading Guns And More Guns
Terrible Weather for June
By Jennifer Holdich JUNE “Terrible weather for June,” he said, shuffling his feet nervously and glancing at the girl, then back at his feet. “June who?” she asked “June, the month June,” he replied. “Oh, yes, of course. How silly of me!” They stood in the drizzle for a moment, then she said. “My mother’s … Continue reading Terrible Weather for June
You
By Bob McNeil You get used to the sun laughing at your inability to rise. Your clock is jocular as well, chortling between bells at you. Each annoying tintinnabular sound is there to rouse you. All of the clock’s attempts are to no avail. Coffin-lid-rigid, you continue lying on your bed. Unconcerned with the alarm, … Continue reading You
High School Contest Poetry Honorable Mentions
These fantastic poems were submitted by Traleia McCorkle, Faith Rhodes, and Yasmine Bryant and deserve a huge shout out. Yours and Mine Yasmine Bryant Meade Senior High School When the night falls And the day is over I come home to you. When my nights Get a little bit colder I come a’runnin’ to … Continue reading High School Contest Poetry Honorable Mentions
High School Contest Fiction Honorable Mentions
These three stories by Louis Rosenberg, Zaina Abdin, and Maddie Hudson are fantastic and deserve a major shout out. Chamber 452 Maddie Hudson Squeak. Squeak. Squeak. The left wheel underneath Arlo’s blanketed legs creaked with every rotation. The sound echoed off the sterile white panelled walls. Arlo coughed violently, then leaned back in his wheelchair, … Continue reading High School Contest Fiction Honorable Mentions
High School Contest Poetry Third Place
Things, Things Yasmine Bryant Meade Senior High School Things, things, I've got things for days. I've got white things, and black things, And all the colors for things in between. Things that make me happy, Things that keep my warm memories safe. And when things get a little tough, There’s no need to worry. I’ll … Continue reading High School Contest Poetry Third Place
High School Contest Fiction Third Place
The Tooth of Time By Lucas Nieman Montgomery Blair High School “There’s no right turn on the map,” I told our ranger, Allen, over my shoulder. Our crew gazed up at the Tooth of Time, its peak looming over the wide plains of New Mexico. The sheer thousand foot cliff face and its uncanny resemblance … Continue reading High School Contest Fiction Third Place