Pensive pondering about childhood past

by Derek Alger

Originally published on August 2, 2011

The woman gazed across the table at a young man and uttered a phrase I will never forget. “Chad, you look pensive,” she said.

Visiting Hours at McLean Psychiatric Hospital – Waltham, MA

by Victoria Thompson

Originally published on August 1, 2011

Lined up in front of the television, the chairs look like scattered boats waiting for the start of the regatta. I’m telling myself I look normal, not nervous. I get it from my mother. At age sixteen, she cut her front lawn with craft scissors, praying not to be seen— waving a toothy “hello” when [...]

Discards

by Sharon Erby

Originally published on August 1, 2011

Then she dreamed she was in the yard again, and the wind swept across it and blew down a rain that grew the grass as quick and high as buckwheat, and bowed it low.

Lou Rowan

interviewed by Derek Alger

Originally published on August 1, 2011

Lou Rowan is the author of the novel, My Last Days (Chiasmus Press, 2007), and the short story collection, Sweet Potatoes (Small Press Distribution, 2008). He’s currently finishing another novel, in the mystery form.

The Death of Caesar

by Martin Mcmullen

Originally published on August 1, 2011

RC kicked back with an Iron City Beer, listened to all this hog talk from beneath his mop of ratty hair. His eyes never settled and were always peering in from just outside the local time.

Strawberry

by Kathleen Radigan

Originally published on August 1, 2011

an i for an i or tooth for teeth make undersea anything. in the crooks of arms, collecting, coral reefs of unforgetting. Abuela screeched “fear poisonous berries constipation, handsome robbers.” But here? skinsmiling in the skyblush? grin and be my Cheshire cheese and I’ll walk without feet, which is maybe the way to seduce a [...]

Sundays

by Subhadra Eberly

Originally published on August 1, 2011

I never run on release; I duck and cover. This is how I was taught to handle emergency situations like earthquakes and nuclear attacks in elementary school.

Tadpole

by Jennifer Blood

Originally published on August 1, 2011

It wasn’t ‘til late that night after he got hit that I decided on bringing Sidney back to life. I’d been playing around with the idea my whole life – cutting worms into two pieces and watching them wriggle on both ends like a magic trick God come up with just for me.