Morning Light Robin Michel __________ I stand by the windowoverlooking the empty schoolyard. Blue morningsky flushes a rising pink like my daughter’s facewhen anxious. “I can’t sleep,” she said, her voice furredwith fatigue. Before our phone call ended, I forgot to askif she’d settled on a name. Over two weeks…
Read MoreMistakes Have Been Made Catherine Coan __________ When I see a lost dog sign, I imaginethat the dog has gone to outer space alonein the Russian tradition, I mean in the traditionof Russian novels: his little face at a portholegazing out at a vast and twinkling oblivion. When he sleeps,…
Read MorePromises Made Edward Baranosky __________ And with black ice, hidden by the snow.–The Book of Job, 6; 16 1and all winter long,the premonition of lost wordsslips between us,into the snow and black-magic wings’February confluence of crows 2the February thaw smacksof indigestion, and an acid refluxrestricting the movementof the dubious knowledge…
Read MoreWhat If the Symbol Were a Puppy?, Tinka and the Magic Beans, & Needing Feed Tricia Knoll __________ What If the Symbol Were A Puppy? The puppy promisedits only lifeto comfort, healto the end of each day,attending even night screams. What if it were taught with patiencenot to bite or…
Read MoreIt’s Nice to be Kneaded R. Elliott Martin __________ When we moved into my apartment, spent from the divorce, my furry little buddy kept his distance. Content to be fed and left alone, he was aloof, independent, free. His gray and white fur did not yet cover my shirts, pillow, couch. And the curtains had not been…
Read MoreChloe Goes to College Robbie Gamble __________ Last night I saw the Subaru in my dreams. Now they have dragged my dog bed from the trunk, stuffed it with boxes, tote bags, a duffel big enough to hold three of me. This is not a good sign. Luggage means absence, and though I do…
Read MoreSecond Annual Pet Writing Contest, March ’25 Editor: Vallie Lynn Watson Managing Editor: Karris Rae Associate Editor: Taryn White Assistant Editors: Robbie Hess, Leah Joseph, Jade Turner, Meilyn Woods Interns: Ta’Mya Davis, Elaine Schroeder Guest Judges: Lucinda Kempe, Mark Williams Natalie Popp, “Two Roommates” Letter from the Editor by Vallie…
Read MoreChecked Out Grady VanWright __________ Click-clack of the automatic doors, swoosh of conditional air blasting cologne-thick with corporate invitation. “Welcome to Harper & Sons,” sings the perky teen behind the counter, but her eyes flicker, her tongue too quick to swallow the sir. Just a pause–one fraction of a blink…
Read MoreIn the Closet, in the Camera The Terrified Dreamer __________ the cameras cracked me openrooted inside my soulate and ate and ate some moreuntil they destroyed me inside cold armor to collect, versions ready to inspectreflections that show shadesof my wholecolors, styles, glitter, gold try the goth, the frills, the…
Read MoreMore Than What They See Cacelie Gooden __________ “One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.” – Dr. Seuss“One eye, two eyes, one girl, one guy.” – Society For many people of color, especially Black Americans, entering a public place like a store warrants people watching you like a hawk,…
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