Author Archives: venusmairena

Ladrones

by Esteban Rodríguez

At least inside it was always December, a reliable winter unfurling from the lumps of ice clumped with a history of erupted sodas along the freezer walls. I rested my chin between the broken stacks of ice trays and the Ziploc bags stuffed with frostbitten meat I meant to cook, but never did. I turned and placed my cheek on the freezer bed, so glad to be home, and as that cool darkness began to numb my skin, I almost forgot the rabid sunlight Ana and I endured at la pulga all afternoon.   Continue reading

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The Collector

by James Callan

Between a super volcano to the north, and the “coolest little capital in the world” to the south, a small town of less than 2000 provides a nice toilet break for travelers on State Highway 1, a perfect place to stretch one’s legs on the long journey from point A to point B. Bladders empty, gas tank full, coffees in hand; spirits are high and the road no longer seems endless, but inviting. Yet before the young couple –the Germans or Canadians or Wellingtonians– before the jet-lagged family from Japan, from America, settle back into their seats to stare out the window for five more hours on their way to the Auckland airport, first: a portrait in front of the local attraction, the giant corrugated iron boot. Continue reading

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Survivors

by Ryan White 

Within two years, Alice Sellers had lost her cat, Kevin, and her lifelong companion, Ruth. She would’ve given anything to get them back. But no such bargain could be had, so she wanted revenge. And since there was no revenge against hemorrhagic stroke, Alice’s last hope was killing the coyote that’d eaten Kevin five nights previous.  Continue reading

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Salt Heart

by Rachel Walker

Point to the sky
and tell me again   Continue reading

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Silphium

by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer

I don’t know
I’m no expert
maybe it is or maybe it isn’t  Continue reading

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Filed under Poetry