by Erin Bryant Petty | Dec 13, 2021 | Issue #3, Issues
shame keeps me warm at nightburns bright in my bonesburnished to a glow bywincing ruminations about yougutted with the loss ofwhat could have beengrateful the door neveropened widerto let in more welted regretlivid on my skinhurricaned with wounds thatlast foreverwhat...
by Neal Sandin | Dec 13, 2021 | Issue #3, Issues
The air buzzes without echoRed grass scrapes our shoulders and saddle bagsBehind us unseen swarm men with guns and rotten teethWhispering our sin through cracked lips.No one has been here beforeWe steer a wide berth around buildings silhouettedLike thorns among...
by Preston Smith | Dec 13, 2021 | Issue #3, Issues
Preston Smith “‘Cause I know I’m a sinner, but I could be a saint in your head.No, I don’t got religion, but I’ll tip my hat to the dead.”—VÉRITÉ, “Saint” If I knew how to be alone, I woulddeconstruct the fairy tales of my mindand live somewhere in betweenthe fabrics...
by K.R. Everett | Dec 13, 2021 | Issue #3, Issues
As the season stained in leavesbegins to yell through feral winds,I watch the petals fall, each tingedin kisses of decay;like the greying of agetheir colors begin to fade.Reds soften to pinks like the flush of flesh,purples dull like grapes left rotting on the...
by Audrey L. Reyes | Dec 13, 2021 | Issue #3, Issues
Wrap it tight in discord and abaca. To train the budfrom ever flowering again.The bud is rotten; how do you shake it awake?When you unspool the petals, each crumbles to touch.But my hands must keep the bud from unraveling.Remember when we used to suck out the...
by Audrey L. Reyes | Dec 13, 2021 | Issue #3, Issues
Too many things don’t respondto a pause. And I say, so be it—It’s late and dark and stormy.Palms itch to pounceon uncalculated risksand pots of piss at rainbow’send. A red light flashes in the distance;it’s all eye of the stormthat won’t...
by maoglone | Dec 13, 2021 | Issue #3, Issues
Jay Fraser Pulse-paced, shifting likeOil on glass; greased rainbow memoryAnd glistering sub-recollectionA wavering reproduction (shaking)Held up to hear (to inspect the sound)And know (once-heard aural death)To be (Passed from this world to haunt) Jay Fraser is a...
by maoglone | Dec 13, 2021 | Issue #3, Issues
Stephen Kingsnorth My title, Jude, you understand?If but a hardy soul, you should.Perhaps my verse is not your spacebut yours the access – trace my mind.Why can you not hear what I voiceand, taken plunge, still get it wrong?I’ll write, gazing in crystal ball -if...
by maoglone | Dec 13, 2021 | Issue #3, Issues
Michael Black I gave them a vial of my blood,inside the small room.It was lost by the analyser.Whilstwe need a blood democracy hothouse,for now, it remains my blood.I let it be tested again and again. Michael Black is finishing a PhD at the University of Glasgow. He...
by maoglone | Dec 13, 2021 | Issue #3, Issues
Izraq Jesen Imaginea day / eight years ago / we are at the staircase to the college west wing / the hallway opens / into History i kiss / the dimple at the corner of your lips / History frowns / through cobwebbed veilTell mewe are allowed to / have this / to love to /...
