Held Up
I was five days overdue. “Go fetch the washing off the line,” Mom said, “let’s see if that gets things started.” So I
November 6, 2024
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Werewolf Syndrome
With the summer solstice sun melting into the horizon, Ulrike hits the gas pedal and screeches out of Glendale along the I-5 to
October 30, 2024
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Soda-Pop Job
I saved the world once. Twice, if you count that time in Budapest. But that was back in my glory days
October 16, 2024
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Crawling Toward the Light
After four long hours of descent, the deep-water submersible Goby reoriented to glide along the ocean floor. I prepared for another lonely journey,
July 31, 2024
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Sugar Almonds
This is how they tell it, those childless people who long for a child. The forest witch keeps a mossy glade, and it
July 17, 2024
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Not Drowning but Waving
On the beach, in the darkness, two men handed out life jackets. They gave one of the men in our group
June 5, 2024
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The End, in Five Strokes
Héng. Horizontal, left to right. The brush travels slowly across the parchment. Sseong-hi
May 29, 2024
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The Last Albatross of Greywater
Cold winds blow from the north and lift the albatross high over the bay. From below, the cracking of breaking wood
May 22, 2024
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Kat and Mouse
Kat sleeps with the data. Old school, USB, under the Mouse pillow. Caught the methane release in
May 15, 2024
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Each Death Gets Us Closer
A flipped boat, he clings to the metal bench seat slick with mossy water, his feet spasming in the unknown depths below him. Because at
February 28, 2024
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Mother, Shift, Mother
I hugged you, and I hugged you again before you stepped out that door. Did I warn enough about the monsters? I didn’t want to
February 7, 2024
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The Wise Internal Voice
B e watchful of voices that shout shouldn’t, mustn’t, don’t. They said she shouldn’t climb up the fire escape and whisper conversations with the night
November 1, 2023
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Lost and Found
I cy wind rattled the coffee shop windows. The string of fairy lights outside the storefront shook, striking the glass in a repeating tink, tink,
October 25, 2023
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October 18, 2023
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Goats in the Boiler Room
I wake to the sound of bleating. What the fuck? While still half asleep, I crawl out of bed at–what–2:36 am?
October 11, 2023
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Táltos
A woodsman gave me a ride for the last few miles. He was surprised to find a young woman on the mountain path. “You’re a
September 27, 2023
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Popstar Mermaid in a Trash Storm Along the Mississippi
W hen P-XIE refused to justify her surgery, the reporter asked if it was so she could marry a fish. Her publicist cut the interview
September 13, 2023
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For the Love of Fries
D avid loved untaxed Bauhaus steel. Especially when it was at a Vancouver 6.7 percent discount. If he included the security envelope with fifty one-dollar
June 21, 2023
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Bubble Gum Romance
A tough call—Strawberry Lemonade or Wild Cherry? I had heard rumors last semester but until now didn’t believe them. Rachel Roth,
May 31, 2023
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Light As a Feather
I used to be a bird. My mother never hid this fact from me. She told me as soon as I was old enough to
May 24, 2023
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Sunken Treasure
S he had no fear of the bubbles. They caressed her skin more softly than she guessed as she sank deeper. The cold burned at
May 17, 2023
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The Truth Merchant
T he truth glistens in its glass jar as I lift it down from its hiding place on the top shelf.
May 10, 2023
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Her Phone
Inspired by Hernando Tellez’ story Lather and Nothing Else S he came into study hall with a flounce. I was the only tutor on duty
March 15, 2023
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One Hundred and Thirty-Five Seconds
B reathe deep and break the surface. Ice blue waters tingle on lips. Your arms pull like longboat oars, thrusting you down.
March 8, 2023
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For Whom the Banshee Wails
S he seemed to sit on the moon. A waning gibbous, her dress draped over the edge. Although far away, I could see the red
March 1, 2023
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Call Me By Your Love Name
H e moans Samyukta, Samyukta—your given name—with a lazy oomph. You halt, squint, your body crouched over him stiffens, and the frenzy between the four
February 22, 2023
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Wheeled Centaur
D ecember 19th. Her birthday. Cathy cried softly into her pillow, a copy of the local paper spread out on her
February 15, 2023
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The Revolution of Olena
Where are they going? Beyond the sky, behind the moon, To wait for us someday soon. ~Cold War-era children’s lullaby O
February 8, 2023
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Leaving by Staying
I didn’t believe you when you told us the Jellyfish was dying. The bioluminescent glow around Her edges had softened, and
January 25, 2023
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From Top Peak to Waterside
E very kid on the High Lines knew they weren’t supposed to play on the zeppelin tracks, but that was most of the fun for
November 16, 2022
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when the ice moon rises, and the night is strangely bright
i f you had believed in the old tales, you wouldn’t have gone out when the full ice moon rose in a satin sky and
November 9, 2022
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Knock, Knock
W hen the knock came, Penny had thought it would be insistent and bold. The way she remembered him. Instead, it fluttered, hesitant, against the
November 2, 2022
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Houston, We Have a Splinter
M emo to whoever finds this floating hunk of half-chewed junk: You might think it’s odd to come across a wooden capsule adrift in space.
October 26, 2022
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Rating Beer
Dennis Scriber’s recent activity on BottomsUp: The World’s #1 Beer-Rating App Pure Bliss Milk Stout Authentic West Brewing Co. 3.7/5 Beer rated on Friday, April
October 19, 2022
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I’ll Jump If You Jump
A lex looks down the cliff, then stares at me, rolls his eyes as if I wouldn’t dare, and I stare back at him because
October 12, 2022
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Care and Keeping of Funnel Clouds
T he sky rotated into a yellow-green, the kind where the sun strove to shine through. Cindy stayed out in the yard. Her son texted
October 5, 2022
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On Auto
I’m old enough to smoke and fight in a war. How is it unsafe for me to drive down the street without Car doing it
September 28, 2022
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