Cutman

by Marc Labriola

If the needle swung from side to side, it would be a girl. If the needle swung in circles, a boy. Lailah’s three sisters lay her laughing in Ben’s arms as her mother dangled the needle above her belly. Each woman willing the azimuth of the needle like an ancient geographic divination. Continue reading

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Santalucia

by Nicole Santalucia

I always thought my last name came from a boat
that sailed across the world
but I was confused
that was the Santa Maria

not that my name hasn’t traveled on boats
or shined shoes
or sewed the soles of feet Continue reading

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Garden Party

by Kate Kingston

From a porch overlooking a garden,
a prepositional phrase
flings itself over the balcony landing face-first
in a throng of nouns
all holding active verbs like revolvers
and stringing conjunctions
between them like safety nets. Continue reading

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Dallas

by Ben Heins

And in that mouth,
in that black hole
of dangling stars

I’m staring at so many things:
your teeth, pink inner-cheek, tongue.
Continue reading

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Lai`eikawai

by Mary Alexandra Agner

Woman in the twilight, last sun
on the pali, brightness dwindling
in the mountains’ misty lei,
I have paddled island to island
for the awe in a storyteller’s voice.
Step down onto the birds’ wings
step down onto the night beach
and speak to me in the moonlight Continue reading

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