Letter from the Guest Editor Jade Turner __________ At five years old, my daughter first heard the phrase, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” and her response was, “But what if we don’t have any sugar?” Let’s face it: life isn’t always sweet. For some, the sun has…
Read MoreThe Sea of Trees Louise Palfreyman __________ Hiroki Oura believes he has been called to the holy mountain by its guardian spirit. He is waiting for a bus at Kawaguchiko station. Tinny music is playing from speakers tacked to the walls. It sets him on edge. This is not the…
Read MoreBent Twigs Kathryn Kulpa __________ The news might have come in the daily paper, but who read papers anymore? Maybe there was an announcement on the radio. A bullhorn buzz: THIS HAS BEEN ATEST OF THE EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM. HAD THIS BEEN AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY, YOU WOULD ALL BE DEAD…
Read MoreMaking Deals Harvey Huddleston __________ July 23, 1944 Brit paper says when the Nazis invaded Russia they murdered every civilian in their path. But painting all Germans as evil is the same as what Hitler did to the Jews and if we’re no better than that how can we expect…
Read MoreBlooms in Dusk, April ’25 Editor: Vallie Lynn Watson Guest Editor: Jade Turner Managing Editor: Karris Rae Associate Editor: Taryn White Assistant Editors: Robbie Hess, Leah Joseph, Meilyn Woods Interns: Ta’Mya Davis, Elaine Schroeder Jay Edge, “Carnations (Bound in Bloom),” Conté & oil stick on paper. Letter from the Editor…
Read MoreLetter from the Editor Vallie Lynn Watson __________ Moving to a new place means starting over–new house, new co-workers, new doctors–and for the most important members of the family, it means new vets and new dog-sitters. Raven, McKay, and I moved to the bayou eighteen months ago and feel lucky…
Read MoreThe Summer of the Eight-Legged Calf Nicole Hebdon __________ It was day two of the county fair, and we were already settled in to our routines. Having attended the fair all ten days every summer of our lives (we being me, my siblings, my cousins, and almost every member of…
Read MoreLetter from the Guest Editor Taryn White __________ When my friends and family go on vacation, I’m almost always the one they call to look after their pets while they’re gone. Over the past few years, I’ve befriended many animals, like Hercules, the Great Dane; Bobo One and Bobo two;…
Read MoreThe Favourite Louise Osborne __________ Nigel had arrived early at the office, equipped with a coffee from his local barista. As hewalked past the boss’ office, he could see her through the gap in the doorway. The boss wassitting behind a large solid-looking desk with her head down fiddling with…
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