Dancing for My Mother

by Duff Brenna

Originally published on August 1, 2010

In the fall, the mom was told a truth she couldn’t ignore. One day, talking about Carol Marie’s future and men and getting married, Pappas came into the conversation. The mom said again that she shouldn’t have married him. Again, she brought up the fact that it was barely six months after they were married [...]

Running After You

by Anita Leverich

Originally published on December 2, 2007

“Twisting around, I am staring over the head of this little man at a thousand hills undulating into the distance. Looking down, down, down I stare into the eyes of a pygmy. I am being raped and pillaged by a pygmy.”

Hidden Truths

by Emily Rapp

Originally published on July 26, 2007

“I had learned to manage my disability by putting on a determined smile and believing that with the right adaptive strategies — the right clothes, the right attitude, and a sense of humor — I could adjust to any situation.”

Father Antonio’s Black Label

by James Whyle

Originally published on October 5, 2002

This is the story of a journey and of a grail that was found and emptied and filled again by magic. Every word is true. The journey was undertaken by the photographer and myself, and liquor ran through it like water gurgling down a Madeiran mountainside…

Weight

by Joshua Lapekas

Originally published on August 1, 2001

In March of 1958, five months after Sputnik began its first ninety-six minute orbit around the earth, Life magazine ran a series-story called Crisis In American Education. Two sixteen-year-old boys were featured on the cover. EXCLUSIVE PICTURES OF A RUSSIAN SCHOOLBOY VERSUS HIS US COUNTERPART, it read above their juxtaposed photographs. The Russian, Alexei Kutzkov, [...]

Thoughts on Reaching 50

by Richard Luck

Originally published on July 1, 2001

It’s a question I’ve been asked often: “Why Pif?” In the beginning, I always assumed I was being asked about the name itself. It’s an odd name, assuredly. One that just popped into being one fateful day as I was reading through a handful of email submissions for the as-yet-to-be-named journal I had decided to [...]

Lish, Gordon: Notes and Reflections of a Former Student

by George Carver

Originally published on November 1, 2000

Four years ago, fresh out of a master of fine arts program and certain that if I never participated in a writing workshop again it would be too soon, I signed up for a Gordon Lish class.

Japan, or: Melt-Banana is the God-Best Band of All Time

by Richard Weems

Originally published on February 1, 1999

Richard Weems plunges into Japanese pools of Melt-Banana frenzy.

Travels in Nepal

by Christina M. Russo

Originally published on August 1, 1998

I want to be reborn as a woman. I tell this to Salje and he laughs at me. Food fills his cheeks, we are eating lunch on the roof, and I’m not sure what is so funny. So many want to be reborn as man, and you want other, he says, rice dripping from the [...]

Dad

by Alexandra McDougall

Originally published on July 1, 1998

Samantha Craggs looks back on a childhood dominated by her alcoholic father.