By Christine Benton Criswell Originally published in Jimson Weeds. Has also appeared in Down in the Dirt and Impspired In front of me were two heavy, ancient-looking, wooden doors, and beyond them—the thing I dreaded most about becoming a doctor. My heart was pounding so hard I could hardly hear the voices around me. I’d … Continue reading No Different Than a Frog
Sonder
By Jonathan Gennaro In the hospital, the man waited. He waited for the results of his lover’s procedure. Sweat dripping and knee jumping he learned nothing. All secrets stayed hidden on the other side of the door. Nurses, patients and doctors passed him paying no mind. They held no relevance in this story, but who … Continue reading Sonder
Love at First X-ray
By Kunal Mehra “Move a bit closer to the board. There. Perfect,” he said, as he stood behind the X-ray machine. “Now take a deep inhale and hold it.” My chest was hurting and I wanted to let go and exhale, but I did what he asked me to. He wrapped up his work and … Continue reading Love at First X-ray
Poems by Linda Imbler
On The Day After Your Medical Moment Your image, the oldest of the photos Lying within this album of faces and souls. You asked forgiveness the day before you died, Then slipped away when my eyes turned aside. The rattling heater cannot stop the chill That is shaking my bones, though my world stands still. … Continue reading Poems by Linda Imbler
On Bodies
By Kristiane Weeks-Rogers Pre-Visit Questionnaire Is your tongue swollen? Can you rid this people, this land, of canker-hexes? Are you an ultraviolet or magenta warrior? Are you thermonuclear fission? Do your arms feel heavy? Are your linguistics based in nature? Where is funding lacking in your community? Does envisioning your obituary bring you closer … Continue reading On Bodies
Academy of the Heart And Mind 