Santo Spirito, 1577 by Michele Finn Johnson My parents consign my eldest sister, Paola, to Venice’s Santo Spirito convent. There is no dowry for Paola and so her duty is our salvation. When they took her away, Paola’s nails dragged…
Tyn
Tyn by K.B. Carle Tyn, a man the color of the coals that collected under his mama’s good cooking pot before turning to ash when the fire got to them, digs his hands deep into the earth, letting every bit…
Phoenixes
Phoenixes by Sophie van Llewyn London, 1941 Mother’s pinkie draws away from the teacup, reaching towards our glorious past. The footmen have been drafted, the maids soldier on in factories, but the afternoon tea is holy in our house. A…
Red Eye
Red Eye by Lee Hamblin Sunday evening. First time in New York; first time in Brooklyn. Johnny P has a bit of blow and some weed he needs to dispose of on account he doesn’t indulge during the week. Would…
Gutshot
Gutshot by Peter Jordan Just out of range is the white bull buffalo. He has seen this animal before, in dreams. Cradling his rifle he crawls on his belly through the sweet grass. With this same rifle he learned to…
Tilda Always Did Love Her Flowers
Tilda Always Did Love Her Flowers by Christina Dalcher Tilda emerged an awkward little thing, a toad of an infant with the poise of a plough horse. She had a flattened nose, two fish-bowl eyes, and nine fingers, which made…