Missy’s Animal Rescue Bryn Gribben __________ Missy herself sits behind the desk, loggingadoptions, barely looks up from the screen.“You can just open up the cageand pet them, if you want.”   Frowsy-haired,  her giant breasts are wet from doing flea dips, “forty done already—twenty left to go.”  Grimy with the musk of…

Wordy Bird Emerald Fox __________ If you were a bird,Settled in perfect, pompous-Bring me a few things that I would need-We shall have tea in the morning-As we chat over business-Graven imagereading the Morning Brew with-Nothing but manners and refinement, Could instill-If you are going to be ill-tempered, take it to…

Birdfeeding Tyler Robert Sheldon __________ after T.R. Hummer When it’s time, you haul the huge bagof birdseed from the cargo holdof your SUV and muscle it overto the new feeder, which waitsfor filling, and lift the lid and pour,the cracked black seeds spinningdeep into the heart of the cylinder,the light…

Jennifer Sepso __________ Oliver Mid-stride, he collapses— not fallen,just hungry.As dramatic asa high school productionof Romeo and Juliet.Spine long as breath, he stretches until the room pauses in respect.Deliberately he yawns: a flare of pink, a carnivorouscathedral of teeth. Then trots off, tail held high— a banner, not a question.Tucks…

Junefly JD Del Rey __________ The mayfly spends years As a nymph: Swimming. It blooms for one day, And takes magnificent flight, Without mouth or stomach, In its final molting form. We bemoan its short  Moment of glory, But at thirty-nine I now Envy even this Minute on the wing.…

Paige Milatz __________ Porcupine, Thirty-One Years Later I would like to tellMiss Oliverabout my good luck,my encounter  with a porcupinein quill and forest:A recently tumbledCottonwood tree,  leaves still glossy greenleaning away from the riverinstead of upright and there she was. How slow, how sloth-likeshe moved on the branchesof the thick tree!…

Merlin Valerie Egar __________ A cat not there until he is—  sudden appearance his dark art. Hidden in shadow, he side-way skitters  from corners, lurks under the bed,  pops his claws out to snag me. He perches on the bookshelf above my head, hurls himself  onto the sofa as soon as I curl up.  Mysterious as the Sphinx,  he…

Rainbow Bridge, My Ass Deron Eckert __________ Dogs can’t even see half the rainbowand half of them fear walking bridges.  Let them cross a field of rare steaks or swim a stream filled with smoked salmon. Imagine each dog leaving this world for an abundance of something they love. Better yet, imagine…

When my hands touched the sun Scout Clancy Batreau __________ When I was younger,not yet in school,my father was cleaning the fishtankand our goldfish had to momentarily reside in the stained washing up bowl.I was warned not to touch himbut I found my small uncontrolled handsstroking his body beneath the surface,a…