Three Songs Mike Wilson __________ I A bird untucks her head from her wing. measures the spaciousness of sky. Clutching the branch, she feels the tree drinking earth with the beak of its roots. Without thought, she sings I am happy this morning before fighting for food begins. II King’s…
Read MoreThe Music’s Gonna Get You Margo Williams __________ Caitlin saw him from across the tavern. He was at least ten years older than she, maybe more. His dark hair grew in waves to his shoulders; his five o’clock shadow was sexy. He strummed his guitar with such purpose. Long pale…
Read MoreLittle by Little Susan Tepper __________ A drum roll woke me at 3am. When I saw that time lit in red on my alarm clock I almost had a hemorrhage. The racket was coming from the downstairs apartment. I got up and kicked the floor a few times. No change. …
Read MoreThe Circle Game Gerard Sarnat __________ I recall all my being as an isolated youngster, can’t go outside cause of bad ragweed allergies, wrapped by Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives’ mournful sweet croons+twangy twinkly banjo tunes— stuck watching 10” vinyl discs go round and round 78 times per minute…
Read MoreShadows & Jazz Tony O’Dwyer __________ The sound of a clarinet can seduce Even the most careless of hearts As the short pumping kisses of breath, The deft curving of fingers, Transform to hot melting notes. We danced, holding our hands low, The music swaying on our bodies, Twined in…
Read MoreThe Stars—They Shine Just for Us Jill Michelle __________ Mission Impossible was the movie your dad and I watched the Evening before your birth, bars of its theme song, labor’s Anthem: dun, dun, dun, dun, dun-nun, a rhythmic hum beneath Nurse Peggy’s pink-capped reminders to breathe while she Deciphers the…
Read MoreSongs of the Past Amanda Meyer __________ She used to scratch lyrics into her flesh, afraid she’d forget them, the way her brain wears rose-colored glasses when she tries to remember the past. Before that she’d write songs on the thigh of her jeans instead of keeping her eyes on…
Read MoreEminem Must Imagine I’m His Biggest Fan Alex M. Frankel __________ Hey Alex, Eminem made you something special! “At the crib playing Fortnite with your grandma” Numbered gold vinyl exclusively for Spotify stans. Limited quantity available, act fast while supplies last! So I’m not just a fan, I’m a stan…
Read MoreEnter the Bassoon John Davis __________ You naughty boy, you bedpost with bad indigestion. Someone is tonguing you, buzzing you, running a Hungarian rhapsody through you. You puff-a-puff noise, call it notes of a wind ensemble. They are grunts of a pig. Someone has let a pig control the woodwind…
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