It first appeared as a white patch on the ivy covered wall near an open window of the arts building It caught my eye immediately Like paint spilled on a canvas of green Not high up and easily seen Standard clean paper With words resting on their sides Three corners fixed in… Continue reading The Question of Poetry
Author: Editor
Issue 17
No one, and I mean absolutely no one, ever writes anything totally by themselves. I know a few writers who claim they do.
Oklahoma Dust
Dust on the dash, windows up as we roll through back roads, radio on static. I will never leave you – in my head, not on my tongue – as mile markers disappear into a cool sunset. That flight to Chicago – you walked me right up to the gate, pre-9/11 style – the night… Continue reading Oklahoma Dust
Dumbing Down My Life
I’m awake this morning, but even as sun streams through the windows, I feel dead. Something is wrong with my brain and I don’t like it. There’s no traction to my thoughts. When I try to sit down and write creatively, it doesn’t work. I hate this feeling. Maybe the problem is caused by the… Continue reading Dumbing Down My Life
Mirror, Mirror
“What’s that?” My father and I were cleaning out my grandmother’s railroad apartment and had come near the end of the hallway with her chest of drawers. “Your grandmother’s bed sheets.” He gave a quick laugh. “She covered the mirror.” We put the chest down. “You can take them off.” I ripped the sheets off what was a full length mirror sitting floor… Continue reading Mirror, Mirror
Flight
You’re strapped in for the hour flight, when a young woman, all flush and out of breath, stops at your row, apologizes with her eyes for making you get up. You fumble with the seat belt, struggle with your cane like a shy schoolboy or a creaky invalid as you rise to let her slide… Continue reading Flight
Tom Hurtz Travelouge Pt. 2
Tom Hurtz is a biker who thinks America is best experienced from the back of a motorcycle. The photos and commentary are from his 2017 journey through South Dakota’s Badlands. This is part two of a series. Here’s the link to Part 1. June 26, 2017 Devil’s Tower and Wyoming According to the GPS we… Continue reading Tom Hurtz Travelouge Pt. 2
Tom Hurtz Travelouge Pt. 1
Tom Hurtz is a biker who thinks America is best experienced from the back of a motorcycle. The photos and commentary are from his 2017 journey through South Dakota’s Badlands. This is part one of a series. Here is Part 2 of the series. June 23, 2017 Leaving Tomorrow Took a day off today to… Continue reading Tom Hurtz Travelouge Pt. 1
Felt Tongue
a sad body without a lift inside adler shoes walking down narrow streets in the loneliness of city lights drawing out the sad colors with a strong yellow bar of light that the artist passes off as a gift. Guy Beining’s work has appeared recently in the Iowa Review, the South Carolina Review, Fiction International, Skidrow/Penthouse,… Continue reading Felt Tongue