THREAD • by Tim Boiteau
I noticed a loose thread on the collar of her blouse — god, I can’t stand that — and I began to pull on it, couldn’t help myself, couldn’t not do it. “Leave it.” She slapped at my hand, but… Continue Reading
CHIP: A GIFT OF SELF ACCEPTANCE • by Mary Rohrer-Dann
Chip started out as a little bump riding Tom’s right shoulder blade. No fair, he’d whisper, Mom always buys Sally’s favorite ice cream. And, Jerry’s only popular cuz he’s got a pool. And, Prom’s for losers. Chip grew as Tom… Continue Reading
BREAKING BALL • by Michael Snyder
There’s this ball, pink-seamed and spinning fast, its coordinates locked on the northern perimeter of my left eye socket. All the proof I need that God hates me. No surprise, as my earthly father was never that fond of me… Continue Reading
THOUGHTS LIKE MAGGOTS • by David Vonderheide
The brownies kicked in as he settled his canoe on the water. It was a cool morning, breaking off from a string of muggy September days, and a mist hung over the glassy river. He checked his watch: 5:13am, thirty… Continue Reading
THE RED HELMET • by Mishkat Bhattacharya
The red helmet was missing. They looked for it inside the barn next to the playground, in the gym store, and all over the small building that housed their classrooms. But it had simply disappeared. This was an inconvenience, because… Continue Reading
RACCOON’S INVENTION • by Tygan Shelton
In the days when the land was new and all animals were family, the Sun Queen gathered her children together and announced a contest: whoever created the most useful invention would see their work displayed all over the world. Everyone… Continue Reading
ROMANCE WITH SARDINES • by Robert D. Beech
She walks quickly down the aisle of the train, looking for an open compartment. Her heavy fur coat marks her as out of place in the second-class wagon. Once, she would have travelled in the first class section with the… Continue Reading
A FEATHER’S EYE • by Kim Bundy
The people in charge seat me under some bright lights and put my painting on an easel. I meet Sebastian, an art expert, and my heart starts knocking. I’m thrilled to be chosen, to have something so special. That is,… Continue Reading
ROCK SOLID MORALITY • by LM Zaerr
“No gargoyles,” said the opera conductor. “We take singers, strings, brass. No granite. Join a rock band.” I pulled the corners of my mouth to my ears and stuck out my tongue. Well, admittedly I’m carved that way. Thanks, Mason… Continue Reading
UNDER MY SKIN • by Joely Opie-Harris
(content warning: rape) I close my eyes and the quiet, black space around me is filled with you. Do you think of me too? I wonder if you do. Wonder if that night is still carved into your wrists, wriggling… Continue Reading