by | 04/09/2015 · 9:42 am

The Desire to Heal

by Drew A. Carmichael

The name of the woman lying next to me is Jennifer or Janine, I’m not sure which. We met at the grocery no more than two hours ago. She stood in line behind me and placed her items on the belt with mine without using the plastic divider. It wasn’t until the cashier confused our items that she stepped in to clarify. There was a time when such an innocuous act wouldn’t have drawn my attention. In the past a woman would’ve had to look me in the eyes and spell it out in no uncertain terms. Jennifer or Janine smiled at me and shrugged. That was all it took. She followed me back to my place and let me undress her. Continue reading →

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by | 04/07/2015 · 9:40 am

Trees from Eight Angles

by Seth Jani

Invariably, these statues sing.
Wrought-up in the darkened landscape
By the combing wind

They sway in their emerald music
While overhead, the small muscles
Of the stars work the universe.

They are the old, gnarled fingers
From the earth’s deep clutches.
The towering alphabet from which the birds Continue reading →

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by | 04/02/2015 · 9:06 am

Tortellini Arrives at the Front Steps

by Sheila Nickerson

Not every tortoise who waddles up your driveway
brings a message. But sometimes you wonder.
Here is Tortellini, from Terrace Place—
a block away and down the hill—
coming toward your door. It took her four days,
her people say, and she has done this before.
Quickly, we discuss the patterns on her back,
the meaning of her visit, our dreams and fears.
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by | 03/30/2015 · 9:12 am

They’re Making a Movie

by Ace Boggess

they’re making a movie about my childhood basement
Hollywood producers overcome by all the monsters there

fire-eyed slobbering winged-like-flies arising from everywhere
as with heroes fighting in their blanket capes

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by | 03/26/2015 · 10:27 am

Animal Hospital

by Midge Raymond

The vet tech’s name was Kristy, and she had a shrill, candied voice that grated on Monica’s nerves. Her husband, Louis, was the one who usually took the dog to the vet.

“Oh, poor baby,” Kristy crooned as she took the dog from Louis’s arms. “What happened to you?”

“She had a seizure,” Louis said. He started to follow them into the back, but another tech intercepted him.

“If you can just fill out these forms,” she said, “we can get started on treatment right away. What happened exactly?”

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