It’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,…
Read MoreThe Excavation of Now, Miracle Equations, & Unfolding David M. Alper __________ The Excavation of Now I stand in the kitchen, hands submerged in soapywater, the weight of the dishes providing a comfort.Outside, a cardinal flashes red against the greenbackdrop, reminding me that beauty endures, even inthe most ordinary moments.…
Read MoreBreak: Obligatory lighthearted scene in a zombie flick where poet enjoys herself Jordan E. Franklin __________ I wake up and there’s no despair, only potential.The world blinked out but it’s not the end of the world,just the end of bad poetry. All metaphors stagger on rawand unexplained. No more memoirs…
Read Morewhisper & smoke After “The Urban Wild Coyote Project” by Mandy-Suzanne Wong henry 7. reneau, jr. __________ old man coyote // demigod/shape-shifter /dons a missionary’s collar/ & snakeskin boots// cocks his head/ a God engine of whisper& smoke/ like a politician’s wink &a grinof sound/byte filtered honey/ : incognitoamongst the…
Read MoreHow it Happens James B. Nicola __________ I voted for him, but I didn’t knowspecific details of the master plan:for instance, that I’d be the first to go. I was not backward born, nor even slow.I shoot a rifle better than most can.I just did not know what I didn’t…
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