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The Hunt

The Hunt Chris Bullard __________ I don’t know why my cousin, Dalton, hated me so much. I asked my mom and she told me that I was being too sensitive and that Dalton didn’t have anything against me, but I didn’t believe her. “Well, maybe, he’s a bit over-aggressive with…

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Monsters, Child’s Play, & Bring the Nightmare to Bed

Monsters, Child’s Play, & Bring the Nightmare to Bed Michelle Holland __________ Monsters Are monsters imaginary,  the ones in the dark closet,  behind the musty winter jackets,  the ones just beyond the fence line  where the brush and debris make it impossible to run, should the need arise,  arms flailing,…

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Letter from the Guest Editor

Letter from the Guest Editor Abbie Skinner __________ I’m baaaack… It has been an absolute honor and privilege to return from the great beyond (aka post-graduation) to guest edit this haunting third edition of “Boo”din. In this “Creature Feature” edition. I hope you will find poems and stories that encapsulate all…

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“Boo”din: Creature Feature, Oct ’24

Editor: Vallie Lynn Watson Managing Editor: Karris Rae Guest Editor: Abbie Skinner Assistant Editors: Taryn White, Meilyn Woods Deborah Elam, “Witch’s Brew,” graphic design Letter from the Editor by Vallie Lynn Watson Letter from the Guest Editor by Abbie Skinner Skinner Prize Winner “Monsters,” “Child’s Play,” & “Bring the Nightmares…

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Emails I Can’t Send

Emails I Can’t Send McNeese’s Undergraduate Fiction Workshop, Fall 2024 __________ TO: ███████ FROM: ███████ SUBJECT: Your Ignorance Dear Inadequate Coworker, I hope this email finds you well so that your day can be ruined. I just wanted to make you aware that your recent actions are unnecessary and unprofessional.…

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Work Week

Work Week Benjamin Niespodziany __________ [1] Monday Mood I panickedin my company’s five-flavoredcola elevator. Later,much later,I was fine. [2] Tuesday Blues I caught fireat my cubicle.You used a rulerto make it stop. [3] Wednesday Raise They gave memore money. A newnumber. Clean mug.I hugged my desk.I crackeda smile. [4] Thursday…

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Wrong Song

Wrong Song Devon Neal __________ For a moment the copper-feathered robin the exact size as my two palms, with its midnight-storm eye and a beakful of tattered acorn, stopped on the concrete sill of the fourth-floor office window expecting to find an underdressed princess, mid-song, looking for help with tidying…

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My Brief Life as a Dean

My Brief Life as a Dean Jennifer Lagier __________ Night One: a man beats his child in the parking lot. I phone the police, an ambulance, child protective services, our security guards. Night Two: across the street, gang-bangers shoot a man as he stands on his lawn. I phone the…

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The Building Manager

The Building Manager Lora Keller __________ When their Schwinns and Toyotas slink out the drive, I haunt their burrows.  I thaw her sibilance with a comma splash and one tangled ampersand. His easel creaks as I dab fuschia, his sunset now inferno. I thread golden floss and scatter a spray…

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Why Hawks Make Bad Bosses

Why Hawks Make Bad Bosses Jean Janicke __________ Circling on thermals  dark suits and auburn feathers soar above pay grades. Their shadows darken cubicles.  A high-pitched descending keeeeer freezes fingers over keyboards. They leave one small wing  on the floor near the printer, prey partly eaten. __________ Jean Janicke spends…

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