Universal Language, July ’25 Editor: Vallie Lynn Watson Managing/Guest Editor: Karris Rae Associate Editor: Taryn White Assistant Editors: Robbie Hess, Leah Joseph, Jade Turner, Meilyn Woods Nam Hoang Tran, “//||\\||//||\\||//,” photography. Letter from the Editor by Vallie Lynn Watson Letter from the Guest Editor by Karris Rae Fiction “How Your…
Read MoreThe Atlantic Grace Ann Elinski __________ I’ve tried to drown myself in the Atlantic a plethora of times. I say drown lightly. Once or twice on purpose, the number blurred by the waves and liquor, other times just so drunk that maybe I might have drowned. Obviously, every time, I…
Read MoreThalassophilia Selene Sezer __________ I remember the day you asked me if I already knew how I’d die. I assumed you were simply starting a conversation and would follow up a second later with your own answer. But no. You, with your green shimmering eyes, fixed on me. I was…
Read MoreThe Fireworks Swetha Amit __________ After I signed the divorce papers last month, I sat on my balcony in my East Bay apartment overlooking Lake Merritt. The cool July air made me pull my blanket tighter around my shoulders. Near the lake, families and couples gathered. Laughter floated in the…
Read MoreChecking Out Library Books Deborah Chava Singer __________ I was sixteen and starting college early. Smartphones didn’t exist. People carried pagers; I didn’t own one yet. It was long before social media; going online was pay-per-minute. With hours between classes sometimes I’d take the bus downtown to the big library. …
Read MorePride, June ’25 Editor: Vallie Lynn Watson Guest Editor: Robbie Hess Managing Editor: Karris Rae Associate Editor: Taryn White Assistant Editors: Leah Joseph, Jade Turner, Meilyn Woods Deborah Chava Singer, “Rainbow Blossoms,” Digital Artwork Letter from the Editor by Vallie Lynn Watson Letter from the Guest Editor by Robbie Hess…
Read MoreFinding Home: Immigration and Displacement, May ’25 Editor: Vallie Lynn Watson Guest Editor: Leah Joseph Managing Editor: Karris Rae Associate Editor: Taryn White Assistant Editors: Robbie Hess, Jade Turner, Meilyn Woods Interns: Ta’Mya Davis, Elaine Schroeder Donna Turan, “Liberty’s Lament,” Acrylic, marker, and pen on canvas Letter from the Editor…
Read MoreCumulonimbus Kathryn Silver-Hajo __________ Mama used to sing to Sami and me at night, sounds of yearning emerging from deep in her chest like a trapped owl was trying to escape. Most mornings, Baba walked us to school, and he’d say he needed quiet so he could plan his day.…
Read MoreHow 아빠 Learned English Gina Kim Kotinek __________ He told me while we nursed his favorite scotch on the porch. Rocking in our chairs. Basking in the dusk. Seeing each other under starlight. I asked him what my first word was, not because I didn’t know, but because I liked…
Read MoreGiant Pandas Eat Bamboo Rina Palumbo __________ You could hear the steady sound of chewing, the tearing, the chomping, the rhythmic circularmunching of the giant panda. You could hear the ripping, the tearing, the breaking of thebamboo: stems one by one, leaves one by one, new shoots in bunches. You…
Read More