By Tess Mazzucchelli Jack and Mary started bringing their grandchildren, Nora and Aaron, to Mike’s Diner when they were infants. Jack had picked them up, one in each arm, and brought them over to the jukebox, their chubby palms pressed against the glass as he chose a song. Frank Sinatra had streamed out of the speakers … Continue reading Jack and Mary
Poems by Ryan Flanagan
Ansel Adams with Cameras for Hands Civil disobedience on Saturn again. Mommy’s ring finger is getting rather sore. When I walk with my feet we are someone else’s entourage. Bright lights in the sky like never blinking. Plum icebox Willie Carlos and broken pail Conrad. This vile archeology of hairballs. The Chrysler Building with wheels … Continue reading Poems by Ryan Flanagan
Recollection
By Anne Hicks Where am I again? The grayish blue walls and mild murmur of the people around me seem familiar, yet I can’t quite place it in my memory. A young woman is sitting near me, holding a glass of water. Her other hand holds a pill case, labelled “Donepezil.” Donepezil. Donepezil. Where … Continue reading Recollection
Capture the Flame
By Carrie Connel-Gripp The blue-white charge of magic coursed through the rope woven with silver and gold threads and the hair of the king’s four daughters. Geradonis paced on the west side of the pyre. As the Harvest Moon rose from behind the hills in front of him, the great orb of the sun descended … Continue reading Capture the Flame
Free Falling
By Åsa Muckosky We’re on our way to the Vancouver airport and Tom Petty’s song “Free Fallin” comes on the radio. This is no coincidence. I’ve been hearing it all weekend in my head. My husband and I are on our way back home from a whirlwind weekend trip of shopping for property in Salmon … Continue reading Free Falling
A Repetition of Fates
By Preston Beatty “It worked!” Kartyr couldn’t help but say it as he looked around the trench he was in. He couldn’t quite determine the date, but he was too excited to care. It took all the self control he had to not run and jump around with excitement. All of the effort he had put … Continue reading A Repetition of Fates
A Day Out and Mrs Woo
Both Marc Carver A DAY OUT Intro. I have to be free to be my own slave, chains I can never break places I can never see people I can never know strangers on a shore looking out to sea. Don't give me free will I will only fuck it up. 1. The woman on the other platform … Continue reading A Day Out and Mrs Woo
The Price of Popularity
By Easter U. Obioha 1 The Price of Popularity If someone had told me that I was “cool” about a week ago, I would’ve given them the side eye. Now? Not so much. Growing up, I’ve always kept to myself. I did what I needed to do. I nodded my head from time to time, … Continue reading The Price of Popularity
Wanting to See Him
By Alli Marney-Bell I see light when I wake up. Could I be dead? I don’t think I’m dead. The ground feels cold. My head hurts. Where am I? I try to stand up. My wrists buckle under my weight. I fall before moving my legs. I hit my head again. It still hurts. … Continue reading Wanting to See Him
Cookies and Whiskey
By Vincent Baker As I turned the door knob, I heard scrambling throughout the apartment. As I walked in, I saw my mom holding a tray. I smelled the whiskey aroma mixing with the sweet, warm scents from the cookies. “I made your favorite!” I heard her say enthusiastically. “Did you finally decide to … Continue reading Cookies and Whiskey
Academy of the Heart And Mind 