All Turkeys Go to Heaven Brendan Praniewicz __________ His name was Nev. Short for Nebuchadnevah. An egregious typo, meant to be named the biblicalNebuchadnezzar, but a suitable name for a 55-pound turkey, who I believed would “nevah” die. The first time I saw Nev was at a feed shop in…
Read MoreGrand Theft Auto Dawg & Nomads Susan Israel __________ Grand Theft Auto Dawg Mom says, “Where is Smokey?” and you suddenly realize he’s not lying at the foot of yourbed warming your feet and you look around for that heap of golden retriever fluff and jam your feet into well-chewed…
Read MoreGrimaldi’s Thanksgiving Antoinette Carone __________ Grimaldi knew something was afoot. His nap was disturbed by a noisy hustle and bustlecoming from downstairs. He pricked up his ears. Someone might be coming to chase him off the bed. Then he remembered that he now lived with Anna and Salvatore and was…
Read MoreLifespan, Lovespan & The Golden Storm Tara Flaherty Guy __________ Lifespan, Lovespan Lucy lies in a splash of late afternoon sun where it slants in through the patio door, warming the carpet and her soft grey fur. It is unseasonably warm for late October, and the patio door is open.…
Read MoreThe Cat’s Eyes & Dog People Assume All People Are Dog People Patrick Paridee Samuel __________ The Cat’s Eyes I hold him downknowing better,patience buildingobstruction as hisvision triggersscent-seeing, dirtdigging stick.To his cornerto clean himselfthe shapes he makesreaching, licking.Each day comingwhen my coffee’s done,Cuisinart beepscalling as if straywhere my husbandsleeps. Chirps…
Read MoreMorning 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…
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