Beyond Words Issue 13 April 2021
A r t w or k : Sof i e Rosal i en D een
Bey on d W or d s ? I n ter n ati on al L i ter ar y M agazi n e I ssu e 13, A p r i l 20 21 Ed i t or : Gal Sl on i m Read er s: Sam an th a Col e, Tay l or Cu n n i n gh am , Jad e W r i gh t
Sam an t h a C o l e i s a th eatr e p er f or m an ce st u d en t at A p p al ach i an St at e U n i ver si t y i n Boon e, N or th Car ol i n a. Sh e i s an ar ti st, act i v i st , an d book w or m . Sam an t h a i s exci t ed t o en t er th e l i ter ar y i n d u str y af ter col l ege.
T ay l o r C u n n i n gh am i s a f r eel an ce w r i t er f r om Au ck l an d . H e st u d i ed com p u t i n g sy st em s bef or e jou r n al i sm an d ex p r essi ve ar t s; t r ad i n g w r i t i n g p oor ly con st r u ct ed cod e f or w r i ti n g p r ose. H e h as ap p ear ed i n Fl ash Fr on t i er , w as sh or t - l i st ed f or t h e 20 19 t ak ah ? M agazi n e Sh or t Stor y Com p et i t i on , an d l on g- l i st ed f or bot h t h e 20 20 Gr i n d ston e L i ter ar y Sh or t Stor y Com p et i t i on an d 20 20 / 21 Fi ct i on Fact or y Sh or t St or y Com p eti ti on .
Jad e W r i gh t i s a cr eati ve w r i ti n g gr ad u at e w h o?ll r ead ju st abou t an y t h i n g an d w r i tes m ost ly p oetr y an d f l ash f i cti on . W h en sh e i s n ot r ead i n g or w r i t i n g, sh e sp en d s ever y av ai l abl e m om en t w i th h er d og. H er d ay job i s car i n g f or t i n y h u m an s, an d h er d r eam i s t o p u bl i sh a p i ctu r e book sh e's w r i tten t o r ead t o t h em !
Cop y r i gh t © Bey on d W or d s Pu bl i sh i n g H ou se, B er l i n , Ger m an y Fi r st p r i n ti n g, A p r i l 20 21 I SBN 978- 3- 948977- 0 9- 2
C o m i n g A l o n g Sw i m m i n gl y Rober t Kostan czu k H e w as goi n g to w r i te a l etter t o a
Kol l er alw ay s t h ou gh t h e h ad f ou n d
f r i en d . Yes, an actu al p en - m eets- p ap er
t i m e f or Fl or en ce; an d h e f el t Fl or en ce
l etter . W h o d oes th at an y m or e? H e
k n ew t h at t o be abu n d an t ly accu r at e.
k n ew th e an sw er ? n ot m an y. T h ese
W i t h ou t Fl or en ce t o com e h om e t o,
sh or t- atten ti on - sp an
p r of essor i al
i d i ot s
d u t i es m ean t
so
m u ch
d on ?t k n ow w h at a tr u e gestu r e of
l ess? t h at w as t h e i n escap abl e r eal i t y
f r i en d sh i p i s: Ri tt Kol l er f el t th at w ay,
n ow. T h e voi d i n h i s l i f e cou l d , at l east ,
an d w as f ed u p w i th th e i m p er son al
be p ar t i al ly f i l l ed by M s. H ol l i n gsbi t t .
d i gi tal age.
He
?D oesn ?t n ow ??
an y bod y he
tal k
on ce
agai n ,
f ace- to- f ace
asked
hint
l et t er
of
ef f er vescen ce.
to
h er
on
N ovem ber . Sh e
L egen ts St at e
M ost
a n i gh t w asn ?t
in
t ol d
ear ly it
w as
com i n g.
U n i ver si ty. H ol l i n gsbi tt
ed ge.
f r i en d sh i p . So, h e w r ot e a f ou n t ai n - p en
H ol l i n gsbi tt af ter f i n i sh i n g u p on e of cl asses at
f em i n i n e
easy t o t al k t o. H e v al u ed t h at , an d h er
an d
em oti con s,? h e h ad f u r th er tol d M s. h i s h i stor y
with
a
com p an y
i m p or t an t ly, M y r n a H ol l i n gsbi t t w as
to. ?Ever y th i n g i s a d am n bl i p ? p eop l e tw eets
som e
n i cely. H e w as p r op er . Sh e r ad i at ed a
p eop l e h e f el t an y k i n d of attach m en t by
bu t
w an t ed
B esi d es, t h ey bal an ced each ot h er ou t
M yrna
H ol l i n gsbi tt. Sh e w as on e of th e f ew
com m u n i cate
m er ely
w as an
*
acqu ai n tan ce? a
con f i d an te i n th e ad m i ssi on s of f i ce. A
H e u sed bl ack? n ot bl u e? i n k . B l ack
f r i en d ly
be su r e. Sh e even
w as au t h or i t at i ve. I t w as an ot h er bl ow
com p l i m en ted h i m on h i s u su al at t i r e:
agai n st al l t h i s em p t y - h ead ed cy ber
a gr ay or bl ack tw eed su i t w i th bow t i e.
sat u r at i on .
ear , to
H e f an ci ed h er k i n d w or d s abou t h i s p h y si cal p r esen ce. A f ter al l , h i s 64th
A n ar ch ed w i n d ow l ay t o t h e r i gh t of h i s oak d esk i n h i s d i m ly - l i t h om e
bi r th d ay w as ju st cel ebr ated ; accol ad es abou t on e?s l ook s w er e h ar d er to com e
of f i ce.
T he
r oom
w as
cl oaked
in
d ar k- w ood w al l s. Kol l er l i ked t h e cozy
by.
t on e. T h r ou gh t h e w i n d ow, h e cou l d
Kol l er ?s w i f e h ad p assed aw ay tw o y ear s
m ake ou t t h e gl i n t of qu ai n t d ow n t ow n
ear l i er . T h ey h ad n o k i d s. Sh e w as t h e
M ai n St r eet t w o bl ock s aw ay.
l ove of h i s l i f e. Bu t sh e h ad alw ay s t ol d
H e t u r n ed back t o t h e sh eet of p ap er ;
h i m teach i n g w as h i s m i str ess. Kol l er
t h e w or d s f l ow ed . H e i n f or m ed M y r n a
som ew h at agr eed , gr u d gi n gly. H e h at ed
t h at h e en joy ed h av i n g h er as a f r i en d ?
th e i d ea of bei n g d ep i cted as a st od gy, on e- d i m en si on al
acad em i c
with
t h at
no
he
w an t ed
com m u n i cat i n g
p er son al l i f e.
h u m an w ay. 1
to with
get
back
p eop l e
in
to a
?I get ti r ed of al l th e f l eeti n g, tr u n cated , su p er f i ci al m essages th at ar e sh ot ou t v i a T w i t t er , an d w h at h ave y ou ,? h e w r ote. ?I h op e y ou f eel th e sam e w ay.?
* T h e n ex t m or n i n g, Kol l er d ep osi t ed h i s cor r esp on d en ce
in
a
st r eet - cor n er
m ai l box . A sm i l e sp r ead acr oss h i s f ace
T h en , h e took a ch an ce. M ak i n g an
w h i l e l eav i n g d ow n t ow n t o r et u r n h om e.
over t u r e th at w as bey on d th e bou n d s of
T h i n gs w er e good . A l l f acet s of l i f e w er e
si m p l e
i n or d er ; l i n ed u p n i cely.
f r i en d sh i p ,
Kol l er
w r ote,
?I f
y ou ?r e n ot bu sy, p er h ap s y ou cou l d joi n me
f or
T h an k sgi v i n g
d i n n er
at
my
h ou se. I ?m n ot h av i n g com p an y. So i t w ou l d be qu i et an d l ow - key, i f y ou ?r e i n t er ested (I ?m a good cook ? w i l l h ave al l t h e ?f i x i n s?), l et m e k n ow.?
L at e t h at af t er n oon , a y ou n g m ai l m an d i d t h e p i ck u p at t h e Post al Ser v i ce m ai l box ,
bu t
d i d n ?t
en vel op e f al l
to
n ot i ce
Kol l er ?s
t h e si d ew al k
as h e
cl u m si ly p l aced a h u ge cl u m p of m ai l i n t o t h e p l ast i c bi n by h i s si d e. T h e p ost
I t w as a l i ttl e l ess th an th r ee w eek s bef or e
of f i ce em p l oy ee w as d i st r act ed
T h an k sgi v i n g. Kol l er
Facebook p ost on h i s i Ph on e. I t w as
f i gu r ed
h e w as
gi v i n g M y r n a p l en ty of ti m e to th i n k
by a
al r ead y get t i n g d ar k .
abou t h i s of f er , an d even w r i te back w i th
*
h er r ep ly, i f sh e ch ose to d o so. Kol l er h op ed sh e w ou l d w r i te back w i th h er d eci si on , i n stead of m er ely tr ack i n g h i m d ow n at sch ool to tel l h i m . A w r i tten r esp on se w ou l d , af ter al l , be so m u ch
O n e h ou r l at er , a r oam i n g beagl e cam e al on g,
sn i f f ed
an d
p l aced i t i n h i s d ex t er ou s jaw s. K n ow n f or r ov i n g t h e n ei gh bor h ood d ai ly bef or e r et u r n i n g h om e, t h e d og w as n am ed
m or e i n ti m ate.
Ten aci ou s, Kol l er m ad e u p h i s m i n d n ot to br i n g u p h i s l etter , or
Kol l er ?s en vel op e
T h an k sgi v i n g of f er , t o
M y r n a at sch ool th e n ex t d ay. I n f act, h e w ou l d w ai t? h ow ever l on g i t took? t o al l ow M y r n a to m ake th e f i r st m ove; to gi ve h er a w i n d ow of op p or tu n i ty to take t h e i n i ti ati ve an d get back to h i m .
f or
r el en t l ess
ex p l or at i on
qu al i t i es. Cu r i osi t y w as h i s l i f ebl ood . H i s ow n er k n ew t h at cu r i osi t y d i d n ot d r i ve Ten aci ou s t o w or r i som e d i st r act i on ; h e alw ay s cam e h om e, n ever st ay ed ou t l at e. O n t h i s p ar t i cu l ar even i n g, Ten aci ou s f l u i d ly t u r n ed h i s h ead f r om si d e t o si d e as i f t o assess t h e su r r ou n d i n gs, an d
H e en d ed th e l etter ?s con ci se tex t w i th a
si t u at i on , bef or e m ov i n g on . T h e p ooch
jau n t y tou ch : ?T h i n gs ar e com i n g al on g
car r i ed t h e l et t er i n i t s m ou t h t o a n ear by
sw i m m i n gly f or m e. W i sh i n g y ou th e
p ar k , t ai l h ap p i ly w aggi n g. Ten aci ou s
best , Ri tt Kol l er .?
d u t i f u l ly d u g a h ol e w i t h sw i f t sw eep s of
U n d er n eath
h i s n am e? as a
r ogu i sh
af t er t h ou gh t? h e ad d ed : Peace & L ove. H e w as p r ou d of th e si gn - of f . Peace & L ove w i th a d ef i n i ti ve p er i od at th e en d t o gi ve i t gr av i tas. H e w as eager f or a r esp on se.
h i s p aw s an d bu r i ed t h e en vel op e by p u sh i n g d i r t i n t o t h e d ep r essi on w i t h l egs an d sn ou t . A s w as of t en p ar t of h i s r ou t i n e
on
t h ese
jau n t s,
Ten aci ou s
h ow l ed at t h e d eep , st ar r y sk y, i n a sel f - con gr at u l at or y gest u r e. 2
A r tw or k : Patr i ce Bavos
3
T h u n d er cr ack ed a h o l e Gabr i el M cL eod T h u n d er cr acked a h ol e i n th e sk y an d r eveal s a sou r ce f r om bey on d , T h e l eaves ar en ?t l au gh i n g n ow an d th e bi r d s cu r l h i d d en i n br an ch es W h i l e th e sw am p f i l l s h u n gr y f or d ar k d r i n k . T h e h ou se i s qu i et, Em p ty h u m bl ed by stor m . M osqu i tos d an ce w i th i n r ai n d r op s A n d al l I h ave betw een m e an d th e w or l d I s a p en i n m y h an d an d a p ossi bi l i ty. T h u n d er p u n ch ed th e cei l i n g of ex i sten ce an d t h e gr ou n d sh akes A n d th e tr ees w eep u n con sol ably an d th e cat s h i d e A n d al l I h ave i s th i s p en i n m y h an d to p r ot ect m y sel f A n d d i r ect m y sel f aw ay f r om th e Yaw n of D ar k n ess A n d th e gath er i n g d u st w h i l e T h e p h on e n o l on ger r i n gs ch eck i n g on m e A n d th e stor i es w e tol d ou r selves of r eal i t y p r oved t o be w at er ed d ow n f i ct i on . T h e em p ti n ess i s i ts ow n ch ar acter w h o d em an d s d i al ogu e Bu t t h i s p ar t of th e p l ay i s n ot w h at I w r i t e abou t . T h e th u n d er k i ck s agai n st th e w al l s of si l en ce an d r ever ber at es T h e f l or a an d f au n a f ou n d ati on s of u s al l A n d al l I h ave i s th i s p en i n m y h an d T h at I h ol d l i ke a can d l e, w ai ti n g to be l i t .
A r t w or k : Rober ta B er m an
4
T h e Si n ger Ju d i t h Ry p m a Gr ew u p h ati n g th at m ach i n e: bl ack cu r se i n ever y w om an ?s h om e. Foot p ed al s i n ten d ed to stop an d star t sti tch an d h em m ake cl oth m u si c p r obably h ow th e m an u f actu r er cam e u p w i th th at n am e th ou gh I f u m bl ed each ti m e I tou ch ed i t f ai l ed to car r y a tu n e.
A r tw or k : L i n d sey Gr an t
Pr i cked f i n ger s. Sew ed l egs to ar m s zi p p er s to h em s p r ecu r sor to th e d i scor d : si l k s an d sati n s I ?d n ever ow n baby cl oth es n ever n eed ed l u l l abi es u n su n g h i gh n otes I ?d n ever r each .
5
Su n d ay Cor r i n a Bl an d U n d er scan t cl ou d an d season t r i l l , y ester d ay s set t l e l i ke p ol l en , t h i ck on u p tu r n ed p ot s. W e si t , l egs d an gl i n g of f r ou gh saw n w ood an d gu ess t h e cool n ess of th e w at er . W or d s f l i t f r om m ou t h s, d an ci n g l i ke f i r ef l i es f r eed f r om ti n - l i d d ed jar s an d w i t h ou t r eason or th e n eed f or i t , w e f ol d each ot h er u p l i ke l ove l et t er s an d w ai t f or an ot h er t od ay.
A r tw or k : L i z Ker r 6
Et er n i t y Si u Si u Si k Even a l eaf m u st l eave t h i s f l eet i n g w or l d ? bu t n ot w i t h ou t l eav i n g beh i n d a l eaf y m ar k on t h e l eaf l ess cen t er of m y gr i ev i n g h ear t
A r tw or k : K ath r i n e Cay s 7
A r t w or k : Pat r i ce B avos 8
T h e W o r l d as D i sco B al l H .Sar ah Bl u m en th al You - a v i r u s w i t h ou t ed ge or p l an k , cu t t o sp an gl ed sh ar d s r i gged t o sp i n w i t h i n t h e gr i ev i n g boot h of a u n i ver se r u n d r y of l i gh t .
9
I n v i si b l e Jan W esl ey A bu s stop sh ad es h er u n d er can op y an d l am p p ost at an i n ter secti on of bou l evar d s w h er e t h e w om an
si ts bar ely v i si bl e on th e f r i n ge of n ose- t o- bu m p er car s, h er ch i l d ?s back p ack p r op p ed agai n st h er k n ees.
Sh e beckon s h er boy to th e ben ch an d h ol d s h i m cl ose to h er l i ke f ood i n a f am i n e, d i sm i ssi n g h u n ger
an d ad or n ed i n cascad e of h ai r , a l i n e of f l ow er s r i n gi n g th e h em of h er d r ess. I w at ch f r om m y i d l i n g
car at th e l i gh t on a bl i n d cor n er bel ow bal an ced w el l - gr oom ed h om es on th e h i l l , an d i n si d e t h e sh i n y
10
m ach i n es f i n ger s d r i bbl e key s of p h on es, d ash boar d s bl i n k i n g f u el con su m p ti on , d an ger ou s br i t t l e br u sh sh ow i n g th e ti m e of d ay f r om a sw i p e of sh ad ow s d el i ver ed by th e su n . H er Sp an i sh ask s h er ch i l d
i f h e can n am e bi r d s p eck i n g at aban d on ed f ood as h e d r aw s th e f or m of a p ar r ot w i t h a st i ck . T h e m ot h er
th i n k s of M ex i co, can see abu n d an ce i n t h e m an go gr oves, h er f am i ly scr u ti n i zi n g n ew s f r om t h e bor d er
w h er e f am i l i es l i ke h er ow n ar e h er d ed i n t o cu st od y, d etai n ed l i ke cr eatu r es i n a cage. T h er e i s r u sh of en gi n e
sou n d an d sh e r i ses u p l ook i n g d ow n t h e bl ock , si gn al s h er son to h er as h e f i d d l es i n t h e d i r t , h er w ear y bod y
cu r ved f r om cl ean i n g oth er p eop l e?s h om es, i n v i si bl e to d r i ver s as th e l i gh t tu r n s gr een an d t h e boy r i ses, op en s
h er f i st tow ar d th e sk y, p ou r s a f u n n el of gl i st en i n g st on es i n to h er p al m , a gi f t of jew el s f r om t h e st r eet s of A m er i ca.
A r tw or k : Fabi o Sassi
11
I D r ov e Past B r o o k si d e Jan e Eh r en f el d
I d r ove p ast th e r oad to Br ook si d e on a f r i gi d , w i n d - h ow l i n g d ay an d th ou gh t a p oem abou t th e tu r tl es, w h i ch w asn ?t of cou r se abou t th e tu r tl es r eal ly. I t?s tr u e th ey m i gh t be a m etap h or , or m ay be th e h i ber n ati n g bees, th e w ay th ei r sw eetn ess qu i ets, bu t th ei r sti n g too, th e w ay I r ead th at h on ey bees h u d d l e r ou n d th e qu een al l w i n ter an d sh i ver h er w ar m , bu t w h o k n ow s w h at th at m ean s, sp l i t f r om th e l i ter al ? I cou l d p ar se th e sh ar p an d n aked tr ees, th e i ce- sh i m m er ed p on d , th e h u sk s an d r attl i n g r em ai n s of th e su m m er . I cou l d l ook f or si gn s of an en d i n g, si gn s of d or m an t, sl eep - tr an ced l i f e, si gn s of l i f e i tsel f . Bu t I d r ove on , I d r i ve on . W e ebb an d f l ow an d ou r ci r cl es ar e n ot si zed w i th th e season s, th ey h ave th ei r ow n r h y th m an d r eason . Som eti m es W e m ake p er f ect sen se. Som eti m es th e w i n d bl ow s i n tem p er ate. Som eti m es w h at f eel s l i ke w i n ter i s sh ot th r ou gh w i th gol d en f i l am en ts of l i f e. Sp r i n g alw ay s aston i sh es, an d su m m er gl or i ou sly stu n s. Fal l i s n ever th e stor y of an en d i n g, ju st beau ty, beau ty, an d m or e beau ty. I f th e ai r i s m el an ch oly tod ay, or tod ay an d tom or r ow an d th e n ex t d ay, th en th e en d of m el an ch oly i s f i stf u l s of su n sh i n e bou n ci n g an d scatter i n g i n al l d i r ecti on s. I f w e h ave f i stf u l s of su n sh i n e bou n ci n g an d scatter i n g i n al l d i r ecti on s tod ay an d tom or r ow an d th e n ex t d ay, th en th e en d of f i stf u l s of su n sh i n e i s a qu i et m el an ch oly th at h as i ts p l ace. L et th e tu r tl es tel l O u r stor y, or th ei r ow n , or n on e at al l . I d r i ve on .
12
A r tw or k : D i am an te L aven d ar
13
Bor n L ael Cassi d y N or m al ly, su ch an even t w ou l d n ot be con si d er ed tr agi c: a ch i l d bei n g bor n , f i n ger s an d toes i n tact, h ear t i n r ou gh ly t h e r i gh t p l ace, u si n g w h at w er e con si d er ed t h e best m eth od s of th e ti m e. Even th e baby, w h o w ou l d gr ow su ccessf u l ly to ad u l th ood , w ou l d at n o p oi n t th i n k of th i s bi r th as t r au m ati c. Sh e w ou l d n 't r em em ber an y of i t , bu t sti l l th e w ou n d w as th er e, f u n d am en tal ly tear i n g at h er l i f e. T h e ex p er i en ce h ad sh ap ed h er : f r om t h e m om en t w h en sh e f i r st f el t ai r , sh e f el t l i ke h er sk i n w as bei n g tor n of f . T h en th er e w as t h e d i sap p oi n tm en t i n th e r oom , w ei gh i n g h eav i ly on h er l i ke ston es. I t w as d i n n er t i m e, an d th e staf f n eed ed th e scr eam bef or e th ey cou l d go eat. So f ar , th e i n f an t h ad m ad e n o com m en t: tr u th f u l ly, sh e w as so f r i gh ten ed th at sh e w asn 't su r e sh e sh ou l d m ove. Sh e w as d esp er ately p l ay i n g d ead . Bu t th e d octor h el d h er u p si d e d ow n by on e l eg l i ke qu esti on abl e m eat, sm acked h er h ar d on th e ass, an d th e cr y p ou r ed ou t l i ke n ectar . N o h ap p y r el i ef cam e to h er m ot h er becau se sh e l ay th er e u n con sci ou s, f l at t en ed by D em er ol . H er m oth er 's bod y w as on ly an ad d r ess at th e m om en t. N o on e w as at h om e. H er f ath er , acr oss tow n , w as th e h ap p i est h e w ou l d ever be, h am m er i n g at th e key s of h i s m an u al ty p ew r i ter an d h ol d i n g a p en ci l si d ew ay s i n h i s m ou th . T h i s n o. 2 h ad been ch ew ed on by m an y of h i s col l eagu es an d w as d en ted w i th th ei r var i ou sly sh ap ed t oot h m ar k s. N ow h i s ton gu e cu r l ed ar ou n d t h e n ar r ow sti ck l i ke a sn ake, f l eck s of t h e y el l ow p ai n t d otti n g h i s l i p . H e w ou l d n 't l eave th e of f i ce u n ti l h e f i l ed th e stor y, bu t t h e t h i n g w r ote i tsel f . T h e N i ck s h ad w on w i t h a 16- p oi n t sp r ead , an d f an s w er e st i l l sp i l l i n g ou t of th e stad i u m so l ou d an d
h ap p y t h at h e cou l d h ear t h em f r om h er e. Yes, h i s w i f e w as i n l abor , an d t h at 's w h y h e w as st ay i n g aw ay. Soon h e w ou l d go, w h en h i s baby w as i n t h e n u r ser y, an d t h e n u r se w ou l d f l i r t w i t h h i m w h en sh e p oi n t ed ou t w h i ch on e w as h i s. I t d i d n 't m at t er w h at sh e l ooked l i ke: h e w ou l d p u l l h er i n t o a w al t z r i gh t t h er e i n t h e h al lw ay, a f at u n l i t ci gar st i ck i n g obscen ely ou t i n h i s m ou t h , an d h er l au gh w ou l d sou n d as t w i n k ly an d an gel i c as w i n d ch i m es on t h e Cap e. M ean w h i l e t h e cr i m e scen e at t h e h osp i t al con t i n u ed , t h e n ew bor n qu i ck ly d eci d i n g t h at t h i s t h i n g of bei n g al i ve w as m u r d er . H er h ear t f el t l i ke som et h i n g w r on g t h at cou l d n 't be st op p ed . H er gu t s w er e sei zi n g, an d t h e aci d s squ i r t i n g i n si d e h er w er e cau si n g sh ar p an d i n st an t jol t s of n au sea. A l l k i n d s of l i qu i d st abbed at h er f r om w i t h i n , h er bl ood f eel i n g f i l l ed w i t h ar r ow s, an d t h e bag t h at sh e h ad i n t er p r et ed as bei n g h er sel f , w as l eak i n g ever y w h er e, gi v i n g w ay. H er bow el s w er e r el easi n g ex p l osi vely, seem i n g t o t u r n t h em selves i n si d e ou t . W h en sh e scr eam ed t h e i n si d e of h er th r oat seem ed t o bot h op en an d cl ose, as t h ou gh h er voi ce w er e cau si n g h er t o br eat h e an d st r an gl i n g h er . T h e w or l d seem ed t o be d est r oy i n g i t sel f an d f or ci n g l i f e i n equ al p ar t s. W h at ever h op e h ad br ou gh t h er h er e got sh ot f u l l of h ol es, bl ack an d en l ar gi n g. Sh e f el t t r i cked , cap t u r ed by t h e en em y, an d h el d f or r an som . N ot h i n g cou l d f i x i t; sh e w as st u ck h er e, sei zed by m al evol en ce, an d t h i s bad n ess w ou l d p l ay w i t h h er i n w h at ever w ay i t w i sh ed , t ou ch h er w h er e sh e cou l d f eel i t , m ol est h er i n cou n t l ess w ay s, f i r i n g u p t h e jagged l i gh t s of h er f r ai l n er vou s sy st em on e at a t i m e u n t i l f i n al ly t h e w h ol e gr i d gave u p an d st ay ed on . 14
O n e m i n u te ol d an d sh e w as too f ar gon e: h er p each - si zed br ai n h ad con tr acted i n t o i t s p i t, l ost i ts ju i ce. Sh e h ad n ot l an d ed i n a m oth er 's ar m s bu t on to m etal , i n t o a l i n eu p , i n to th e f l or escen t l i gh t of i n ter r ogati on . N ow th ey w ou l d p u l l h er ap ar t w i th th ei r gi an t ey ebal l s, l ook at h er as t h ou gh sh e w er e th e ev i d en ce of th e cr i m e.
A n d n ot w r on gly, becau se sh e f el t cr i m i n al , f el t even t h at sh e h el d t h e w eap on , al l t h e ev i d en ce an y on e w ou l d n eed . H er t r au m at i zed bod y w as al l t h e p r oof an y on e w ou l d n eed t o sh ow t h at sh e w as l ost , h av i n g f al l en n ow an d f u l ly, i n t o an u n d er ly i n g an d con st an t st at e of em er gen cy.
A r tw or k : Sar ah Gom ez 15
H ow t o Pr o p er l y Read a Pap er M ap Sh u t t a Cr u m Pu t aw ay y ou r el ectr on i cs. Fi n d a m ap y ou r f ath er u sed on r oad tr i p s? t h e on e th at bi l l ow ed i n th e f r on t seat, M om ?s f i n ger r aci n g acr oss i t. U n f ol d th e m ap an d sm ooth i t f l at i n th e m i d d l e of th e f l oor . W al k ar ou n d i t, bi ti n g i n to a san d w i ch . St ar e d ow n at th e n am es of ci ti es: M oab, Gr ay l i n g, M i can op y, Bu g Sp i t. I m agi n e th e soci ety of tow n n am er s. W on d er i f f og f l oats above M y sti c Seap or t , i f d i stan ce i s d ecep ti ve i n th e B ad l an d s, i f d eser t w i n d s bl ow h ot f r om Josh u a T r ee, i f t h e f er ti l e h ol l er s of Tom ah aw k an d Rockcastl e ex h al e m em or i es? r i ch an d sm el l i n g of r i ver s. Pou r y ou r sel f a gl ass of m i l k . D r i n k i t, w h i l e stu d y i n g th e cou n tr y si d e cau gh t i n th e cr eases. N oti ce h ow on e f ol d r i ses l i ke an of f er i n g. W atch f or a r oad t h at r each es ou t to tou ch y ou r f oot. M ay be ju st a th i n th r ead ? an i d ea of a r oad . I t ?s col d . Pu t on p ajam as an d sock s. Ci r cl e th e m ap agai n , l i sten i n g t o t h e w ay i t sh i f ts an d settl es. Go i n to th e k i tch en . Star e i n to sp ace a m om en t . Sear ch f or a cook i e. I n t h e m or n i n g, f i n d th at th r ead of r oad t an gl ed i n th e f r i n ge of y ou r r u g. Take i t to th e w i n d ow. L i f t i t cl ose. See h ow i t tw i sts, catch i n g th e l i gh t? W h en y ou go, d r ess w ar m ly. D r i ve sl ow ly. W ave of ten .
16
A r tw or k : Ed Fai r bu r n
17
Fr ozen O v er Ri p p l es i n a Po n d Sh ei l a Bi t t s T h e n eu tr i n o bl ack bi r d k n ew w h at Car l sbad d i d n ?t : t h at t h i s w ood p ecker w as t r y i n g t o excl ai m h i s f r i en d sh i p . W as th i s r eal ly su ch a n u i san ce? Car l sbad ?s n ei gh bor ?s f or eh ead cr i n k l ed en d i n g i n bu sh y bl ack br ow s p oi n t i n g d ow n . H e w asn ?t sm i l i n g. H e t ook ever y op p or tu n i ty to f r ow n w h en Car l sbad w as ar ou n d an d : h er e h e w as agai n . Car l sbad si gh ed an d l ooked th e ot h er w ay. T h e n ei gh bor h ad m ad e good p r ogr ess on th e h ol e h e d u g f or th e sp r i n g bu l b. T h e w ood p ecker d r u m m ed aw ay, p au si n g m an y t i m es on ly t o st ar t agai n f ever i sh ly u si n g h i s beak , d otti n g at th e gr een w ood of Car l sbad ?s h ou se. N ex t t o h i m , t h e n eu t r i n o bl ack bi r d f l u tter ed h i s f eath er s as t h e bl u e jay s d o, bu t Car l sbad cou l d n ?t see h i m . Bei n g com p r i sed of n eu tr i n os, h e w as i n v i si bl e bu t f or a sl eek sh eer sh i m m er of m i st on h i s w i n gs. Car l sbad t h r ew t h e r i ce cake t ow ar d s t h e w ood p ecker becau se i t tasted d u l l . Ri ce cakes w er e l ess st r an ge t h an a h am st er Ch eet o an d n ot t ox i c l i ke p ack i n g ?p op cor n ,? bu t n ot a su bst i t u t e f or br ead . T h e w ood p ecker l ooked at h i m bu t d i d n ot eat i t . I t w on d er ed : why don?t you know what I ?m saying? Car l sbad ?s stu f f ed n ose began to d r i p , so h e bl ew i t . Yet h e st i l l cou l d n ot sm el l t h e f al l scen t of ear th an d d ecay i n g l eaves. O n ly t h e sal t f r om h i s ow n n ose p er m eat ed h i s m ou th . T h en th er e w er e th e gr ap es t h at h u n g i n t o h i s y ar d . Tod ay w h en h e h ad gon e i n si d e f or a ti ssu e, h i s n ei gh bor sn u ck over t o h i s y ar d t o h ar vest t h em . T h e p u r p l e gr ap es of th e f u tu r e w i n ter jam u n d er t h e w ood p ecker an d n eu t r i n o bl ack bi r d l ay bef or e th e gen u f l ecti n g n ei gh bor w h ose abd om i n al f at r ol l f el l over h i s baggy jean s. H e sn atch ed th em qu i ck ly gr asp i n g an d l ook i n g u p t ow ar d s Car l sbad ?s back d oor . Car l sbad w on d er ed w h at t h e w ood p ecker w as t r y i n g t o say as h e cl u n g to th e si d e of h i s op en back d oor . U p on ex i t i n g t o t h e p or ch , h e saw h i s n ei gh bor on ce m or e. O n h i s h an d s an d k n ees, t h e n ei gh bor w at ch ed t h e w ood p ecker th en Car l sbad ?s h ead em er ge. T h e n eu tr i n o bl ack bi r d f l u tter ed aw ay w h en t h e bl on d e- h ai r ed boy l au gh ed an d h el d u p a tel egr ap h . H e stood i n betw een n ei gh bor s l ook i n g l i ke a t ar ot car d f or t h e su n : a ch er u b on a w h i te h or se. T h en h e r an aw ay l eav i n g t h e d ev i ce i n t h e gr ass. L i ke a br i ef gl i m m er of th e su n , th e boy d i sap p ear ed . ?I w as ju st getti n g m y gr ap es,? th e n ei gh bor sai d , f r ow n i n g st i l l on h i s h an d s an d k n ees.
18
Car l sbad w en t back i n si d e. T h e n ei gh bor f r ow n ed on ce m or e. Car l sbad bl ew h i s n ose at h i s br eak f ast t abl e as h e sat n ex t t o h i gh f r u ct ose cor n sy r u p p u r p l e gr ap e jam . M u ch l ater , th e n ei gh bor p u t h i s f at f i n ger s ar ou n d h i s h om em ad e jam l i d , sm acked h i s l i p s, u n scr ew ed i t , an d sp r ead i t on h i s t oast u n d er t h e f i r st sn ow. I n f r on t of th e k i t ch en w i n d ow, as n ei t h er n eu t r i n o bl ack bi r d n or cr ow cou l d i n f or m Car l sbad t h e jam bel ow w as r eap ed f r om h i s y ar d l on g ago bel ow th e w ood p ecker af t er h e bl ew h i s n ose. Bu t st i l l t od ay t h e l i ttl e bl on d e boy l au gh ed an d sew ed M or se cod e i n t o a t r ee sk i r t an d ?r ou n d th e bl ock . Car l sbad began t o d oze w h i l e t h e r i ce cake sat w h ol e u n d er w i n d bl ow n d r i f ts i n h i s bi r d - f eed i n g zon e. H e d r em p t of t h e thought of u n seen f eath er s m i xed w i t h t h e cod e. A f l ash of sp eck l ed bl ack an d w h i te, th en a sm ear of r ed . .. / .- - - / .- / .- - - - - - - - - .. .- - . . - .- . - .- . .- . - .- .- - / .... . .- .. .- .. - - - - .- .- -
A r tw or k : Car ol i n e M cM i l l an D avey 19
20
C h r i s B r ow n o n Ro t at i o n Gi n a L ee At som e h ou r i n ever y d ay I ty p e Ch r i s B r ow n i n t o a w h i te sear ch bar w h i te sp ace betw een f i r st n am e an d l ast. ?A r ti st? or ?r ad i o? or ?p l ay l i st? r etu r n s p r eci sely w h at I w an t becau se I am a w om an , f l aw ed an d accep t i n g an d I am su r r ou n d ed by u n r ef i n ed statu es i n v ar y i n g sh ad es of bl ack an d br ow n w i t h p en i ses th at h an g so l ow, i t cau ses t h em vocal cor d d y sf u n cti on . I d o t h e sp eak i n g an d n ot on e ever m oves t o ver bal ex p r essi on , tear s d r i ed l on g ago u n d er a bu r n t ou t su n , st on e- h an d s p osi ti on ed as su ch : m i d d l e f i n ger s to th e l aw th e oth er s gr i p p i n g th ei r bal l s. M y h ear t i s alw ay s d el ay ed by th i s r ou gh t er r ai n . I h i t p l ay becau se I w an t som et h i n g, som eth i n g th at I can f eel . I h ave t o bel i eve Ch r i s B r ow n l oves som eth i n g, a m y sti cal n i gh t i n gal e on th e l ed ge of m y r i gh t br ai n a m u se to th e m oon t h at w al k s a bottom l ess ocean f l oor , t h e w h i te sp ace i n si l en ce, t at t ooed on sou n d w aves. I h ave t o bel i eve m y br oth er , m y f at h er m y h u sban d , m y son , m y cou si n , m y u n cl e, m y gr an d f at h er l ove som eth i n g, too. To be su r e, I t y p e Ch r i s B r ow n i n to a w h i t e sear ch bar f i r st n am e
w h i te sp ace l ast
an d h i t p l ay.
A r tw or k : Rober ta Ber m an 21
Fr agm en t s o f Fai t h Joh n D r u d ge
Ri p p l es Acr oss th e ter r ai n O f an an ci en t w or l d Ben eath sh ad ow s of ston e A n d tem p l es O f absol u te cer tai n ty W e ar e p i l gr i m s I n th e m i d - d ay su n I n sear ch of eter n i ty W i th th e san d s of ou r d r eam s Str etch i n g ou t L i ke a d r y r ol l i n g sea O ver a l an d scap e O f l on g su f f er i n g I n sear ch of l ost Pi eces of y ou
22
A r tw or k : Vel i bor Ba?o 23
Ey j af j al l aj ö k u l l L i am D ay Take n atu r e w h er e y ou f i n d i t: d aw n ?s p i n k l i gh t on br i ck , p i n k l i gh t on gl ass, d i r ty f eath er s an d sh ar p tal on s of seagu l l s ci r cl i n g th e w aste tr an sf er st at i on , even sk u n k s, n atu r e?s p u n k r ocker s, em er gi n g at n i gh t w i th w h i te- str i p ed h ai r th ey cl ear ly d y e th em selves i n h an d m i r r or s. Su ch i s th e r u i n I ?d f ol l ow on e i n t o i t s l ai r w i th n oth i n g bu t a f l ash l i gh t to gai n a better l ook . I n br i gh ter m ood s, I ?ll ad m i t , th ou gh stor i es d ata tel l seem p l ai n , th er e ar e th i n gs I d on ?t k n ow. Su r e, i t ?s p ossi bl e w e?ll ou tl ast th i s, u su r p oth er w or l d s, bu t h ow f ar f r om h er e to I cel an d an d each ti m e th e ear t h bu r p s sm oke an d d u st i n to th e atm osp h er e p l an es, l i ke f l i gh tl ess au k s th at on ce f l ocked on th e i sl an d , w h ose en d l i n gs w er e f ou n d an d k i l l ed on a sm al l er l u m p of bar e r ock ten m i l es to sea, ar e gr ou n d ed .
24
A r tw or k : Joan n a Bax ter
25
Yo u W ear Yo u r Gr i ef S.R. Cr i st y You w ear y ou r gr i ef L i ke w ar tor n cl oth es; Bl ood y, br u i sed , an d ex p osed to th e bon e. Sh e l i n ger s beh i n d , beckon i n g y ou back h om e Bu t f l ow er s f r om m em or y n ever seem to gr ow ; I m agi n ar y r oots d on ?t t en d t o take h ol d .
A r t w or k : Robi n L on d on 26
D ow n f r o m L i f e: H o u r 152 D i ck A l tm an Sh e si ts
as I k n ow h er
cr oss- l egged
at th e f r on t of h er bed l on g- sl eeved t op
Sh e w ear s a gr ay
t h e sam e on e sh e?s
w or n over a l on g d ay of t r eat i n g p at i en t s Sh e star es i n t o h er p h on e
I t ?s ei gh t -
f or ty - f i ve at n i gh t an d h er m obi l e h asn ?t stop p ed p i n gi n g w i t h t ex t s an d voi ce m essages
em ai l s
I t ?s t h e seven t h d ay
i n a r ow sh e?s been on cal l f i f ty - tw o h ou r s st r ai gh t sh e?ll say
on e- h u n d r ed H er bi ggest job
w h en n ot i n t h e h osp i t al
is
br i n gi n g th e d y i n g d ow n f r om l i f e T he mind?s ready let go p i n gs
but the body won?t
sh e say s m at t er - of - f act ly bet w een H er f i n ger s f ly
w r i t i n g a secu r e
m or p h i n e p r escr i p t i on f or an agi t at ed p ati en t n ear d eat h on t h e ot h er si d e of th e state
H ey
sunshine
to a n u r se i n t h e f i el d
sh e ch i r p s
w h o cal l s at n i n e
abou t a r el u ct an t cat h et er Cath eter ?s saf ely i n p l ace
O n e m or e cal l : By n i n e-
f i f teen sh e f al l s asl eep w i t h h er cl ot h es on T h e p h on e p i n gs at t en - f or t y h u n d r ed - f i f ty - f ou r cl ear ed
h ou r on e-
Pat i en t ?s l u n gs h ave
bu t m ay n eed m or e m or p h i n e
Sh e f u m bl es f or h er gl asses
27
I A m Yo u r Em p i r e Josep h Ru h l an d Bu i l d m e U p f r om ti r ed br i ck I am n au gh t bu t y ou r Rom e Tou ch m e, an d I ?m m ar bl e, l eave m e I ?ll f al l
28
A r tw or k : Ser gi o Ren ato O r d on ez
29
D ay l i gh t Sav i n gs H an a Beach y - Q u i ck T h e l i gh t l ook s d i f f er en t n ow. N ew col or . N ew gl ow. M y m oth er i s star ti n g a p eti ti on to get r i d of d ay l i gh t sav i n gs. ?We don?t need that anymore?sh e say s ?Pointless? sh e tu r n s aw ay. H er cu r l s f al l i n a w ay m i n e d on ?t, I u sed to sp en d n i gh ts p r ay i n g th at m i n e w ou l d l ook l i ke h er ?s; bu t w e d on ?t bel i eve i n God , n ot r eal ly, so I sat on m y h an d s. Som eti m es, w h en sh e h ad gon e to bed , I w ou l d w h i sp er : ?Please God, you don?t know me but you know my mother good. Please give me hair like hers.? I n ch u r ch th ey tol d m e God r ai ses th e su n . M y m oth er say s?I f God raises the sun why can?t he get rid of famine, and drought, and bad coffee? M ay be sh e?s r i gh t. I am i n ch ar ge of col l ecti n g p eti ti on si gn at u r es, bu t I keep f or get t i n g. I am a f i r m bel i ever i t?s n ot God w h o r ai ses t h e su n T h e su n i s a l on ely ch i l d . T h e su n r ai ses h er sel f .
30
31
A r tw or k : M an e H ovh an n i sy an
M ed u sa an d I Em m a M cN am ar a I r eject m y m or tal p u r su er s? sh u n th ei r w oef u l sou l s an d h i d eou sly h u m an ey es becau se M ed u sa an d I ar e l over s ad joi n ed by A p h r od i te h er sel f , a p ai r en d or sed by th e m i gh ty Ath en a, ad or ed by th e H eaven s an d abh or r ed by th e H el l i sh as ou r l ove i s r i ch w i th l on gev i ty an d l u st of th e h i gh est cal i ber , an af f i n i ty bet w een t w o god d esses n ever to be em u l ated by m an an d w om an , n ever t o tar n i sh or r u p tu r e or u n tw i n e as M ed u sa an d I ex i st i n h oly equ i l i br i u m , em br aci n g ou r f eatu r es p ai n ted as f l aw s by th e bi t t er h u m an m i n d , I assu r e m y d ear M ed u sa th at th e sn akes atop h er h ead r esem bl e a cr ow n , t h at t h e ven om ou s em bel l i sh m en ts ar e as w i tty an d ch ar m i n g an d r av i sh i n g as sh e an d m y d ear M ed u sa assu r es m e t h at th e scar s ad or n i n g m y sk i n r esem bl e l i t t l e r ed r i ver s, t h at I am a d i v i n e can vas com p osed on ly of t h e m ost p r eci se an d p u r p osef u l str okes an d m y d ear M ed u sa an d I assu r e each oth er ou r us i s su bl i m e an d i n v al u abl e an d u n w aver i n g, th at I am h er s an d sh e i s m i n e n ot ti l l d eath , n or d estr u cti on , n or t h i s Ear t h ?s d em i se, bu t ti l l I n f i n i ty ceases to be i n f i n i te, t i l l m or t al s r u l e th e H eaven s an d th e Cy cl op es sp r ou t a secon d ey e on ly th en w i l l M ed u sa an d I sh ar e a d ep ar ti n g k i ss, m y h an d s ex p l or i n g h er sl i th er i n g m an e, h er sk i n bl essi n g m y scar s as tw o l u sci ou s l over s su ccu m b to t h e od d s agai n st t w o god d esses on ly th en w i l l m y d ear M ed u sa an d I gaze i n to each oth er ?s ey es an d si m u l tan eou sly tu r n to ston e
32
33
A r tw or k : Casan d r a Gon g
I See Yo u D ar r en Pow er I see y ou N ot ever y on e d oes I ?ve seen y ou bef or e Tod ay y ou l ook at p eace, sol em n , con tem p l at i ve H ow l on g h ave y ou been stan d i n g th er e I w on d er L i ke a sen ti n el obser v i n g al l m an n er of cr eat u r e w h o p ass W i t n essi n g th e d aw n i n g of each n ew d ay over t h e f or got t en h i l l s on t h e d i st an t sh or el i n e W at ch i n g ten d r i l s of m oon l i gh t r each i n g acr oss t h e l ake i n sear ch of a f r i en d A p p r eci ati n g th e qu i et beau ty of both d ay an d n i gh t sk y as d o I I m m or tal i zed , y et i n v i si bl e, i n th e backd r op of Gr an d L ake?s m ost f am ou s r esi d en t I see y ou h ol d f i r m ly to y ou r van tage p oi n t of ou t cr op p ed gr an i t e T h e f l oor bed d ed w i th y ou r w el l - w or n coat n o l on ger cover s y ou r gr i p You r r oots, l i ke th e cl aw ed toes of y ou r n ei gh bou r t h e Gr eat B l u e H er on , u su al ly h i d d en Fou n d ben eath th e su r f ace, bey on d m ost cr eat u r es?gaze Q u i et ly car r y i n g ou t th ei r p u r p ose u n n oti ced I see t h at y ou r f ooti n g i s str on g St r en gth en ed w i th th e test of ti m e St r en gth en ed by y ou r w i l l to su r v i ve W i t h stan d i n g al l f or ces th at m ay con sp i r e agai n st y ou O f f er i n g both a gl i m p se of th e p ast an d h op e f or t h e f u t u r e I see t h at y ou ar e su r r ou n d ed by y ou r k i n Each i n d i v i d u al w i th i ts ow n voi ce I t s ow n stor y to tel l U n i t ed y et u n i qu e A f am i ly i n d eed D o y ou con ver se w i th on e an oth er D o y ou sp eak of th e d ay s w h en f ew p assed y ou r w ay an d d en ou n ce ou r p r esen ce I s i t n aïve, n ay egocen tr i c, to bel i eve th at w e even en t er i n t o y ou r d i al ogu e W ou l d y ou sp eak to u s i f y ou cou l d W ou l d w e l i sten I see y ou I w on d er h ow y ou see m e 34
A r tw or k : K i m ber ly Sh y u
35
A r t w or k : Robi n L on d on
36
L i es, Fi sh an d M e Su san Fai r f ax Rei d T h e cl ock ?s d oor sw u n g op en . T h at
h ear
y akety bi r d p op p ed ou t an d cu ckooed
bu bbl i n g sou n d s d r i f t i n g f r om t h e
si x ti m es, tel l i n g m e i t w as al m ost
cr am p ed
d i n n er ti m e. T h e w ood en cl ock h u n g
an sw er ed . ?N o!,? I scr eam ed .
n ex t to a sti l l l i f e p ai n ti n g of a bot t l e of w i n e, a w ed ge of ch eese, a l oaf of br ead , an d an ap p l e. L ook i n g at t h e p i ctu r e i s bor i n g, i f y ou ask m e, even th ou gh i t w as p r obably a r eal good on e becau se Au n t N an i s an ar t i st .
me
over p an t r y.
th e
si zzl i n g
?Rock f i sh ,?
an d sh e
I w as si x- y ear s ol d . I h ad t w o gol d f i sh i n a t an k i n m y bed r oom , Gol d i e an d Joe. T h ey w er e l i ke ch i l d r en t o m e. Each m or n i n g an d n i gh t , I sp r i n k l ed d r y f i sh f ood i n t o t h ei r t an k , cau si n g a f r eest y l e r ace bet w een t h e t w o of
I h ad m or e f u n w atch i n g h er f r om
t h em t o get t o t h e f ood f l akes f l oat i n g
m y ch ai r at th e m ap l e tabl e i n t h e
at t h e t op . I ch an ged t h e t an k w at er
dining
of t en an d su ct i on ed ou t t h ei r p oop . I t
ar ea
w h er e
I
h ad
been
col or i n g p i ctu r es of f i sh i n a book w i th Cr ay ol a cr ay on s. Au n t N an w or e n av y bl u e B er m u d a sh or t s, a l i gh t bl u e sl eevel ess bl ou se, an d san d al s. H er cu r ly br ow n h ai r st op p ed n ear h er ch i n . Sh e w as f r y i n g som et h i n g i n bu tter an d br ead cr u m bs i n a cast
w as gr oss, bu t I h ad t o d o i t . A f t er sch ool each d ay, I
put m y
f r eck l ed f ace cl ose t o t h e t an k , an d asked t h em h ow t h ei r d ay h ad been . T h ey bu r bl ed t h ei r an sw er s t o m e, an d sw am ar ou n d t h e l i ve p l an t s t h ey n eed ed f or sh el t er .
i r on sk i l l et an d boi l i n g p ot at oes an d gr een bean s an d bacon i n t w o p ot s w i th d en ts an d scr atch es al l over th em . A br eeze f r om th e p an t r y sen t th e ar om as i n to th e k i tch en , m ak i n g m y stom ach
gr ow l . A s Au n t N an
f l i p p ed p i eces of f ood i n t h e sk i l l et , sw eat bead ed h er tan n ed f ace, an d h er h ai r f r i zzed . Sh e h ad a l ot of w r i n k l es f r om f i sh i n g, cr abbi n g, an d sw i m m i n g
in
th e r i ver
n ear
h er
Si n ce Au n t N an i s m y God m ot h er , sh e sh ou l d h ave k n ow n I l ove f i sh . God m ot h er s ar e l i ke San t a Cl au ses. T h ey k n ow ever y t h i n g abou t y ou , t h i n gs l i ke get t i n g a 1 i n En gl i sh , get t i n g cau gh t ch ew i n g gu m at r ecess, an d n ot d oi n g a ch or e. T h ey k n ow w h at y ou t h i n k abou t ever y t h i n g, t oo, l i ke h ow y ou 'r e p l an n i n g t o get a st om ach ach e t o get ou t of bal l et cl ass becau se t h e t each er t el l s y ou y ou 'r e
h om e.
cl u m sy an d u n d i sci p l i n ed . ?W h at ar e y ou cook i n g?,? I y el l ed f r om th e d i n i n g r oom , so sh e cou l d
37
W h en M om h ear d m e scr eam af ter
seem ed ok ay, si n ce i t w as su p p osed t o
Au n t N an sai d ?r ock f i sh ,? sh e ju m p ed
m ake som eon e f eel bet t er .
f r om h er ch ai r an d d ar ted i n to th e p an t r y to tal k w i th h er .
Au n t N an 's l i e w as d i f f er en t . H er k i n d of l i e cau ses p eop l e m y age t o be
M om f u r r ow ed h er ey ebr ow s as sh e
l ecu t r ed t o abou t ly i n g, p l aced ou t si d e
w h i sp er ed to Au n t N an . A br eeze bl ew
t h e cl assr oom d oor , or p u n i sh ed at
t h e y el l ow an d p u r p l e p an tr y cu r tai n s
h om e.
ever y n ow an d th en , p r ov i d i n g som e r el i ef f r om th e h ot, h u m i d even i n g. I h ad an i d ea M om w as tel l i n g Au n t N an t h at I w ou l d n 't eat f i sh . T u r n i n g h er h ead to f ace M om 's p r etty f ace an d
M om w as back i n h er ch ai r n ex t t o m e at t h e k i t ch en t abl e. Gen t ly m ov i n g som e of m y au bu r n h ai r beh i n d m y ear , sh e w h i sp er ed , ?K at h y, p l ease eat t h e m eal . I t i sn 't goi n g t o h u r t y ou ."
br i gh t bl u e ey es, Au n t N an abr u p tly r ep l i ed , "Gi n ger , tel l h er i t?s ch i cken .? Sh e m u st h ave th ou gh t I w as d eaf . T h en , sh e tu r n ed back to th e sk i l l et. H ot bu tter sh ot ou t i f i t, ju st m i ssi n g h er
ar m .
?Beetch ?,
sh e
f u m ed ,
l ow er i n g th e gas f l am e.
t abl e, w or k i n g ou t m y p r obl em i n m y f i r st gr ad e h ead . A p l ate, si lver w ar e, a n ap k i n , an d a gl ass of i ced tea h ad my
w an t ed t o p l ease Au n t N an .
T h at ?s w h at t h i s i s abou t , a h abi t sh e h ad l ear n ed w h en sh e w as a ch i l d . N ow, I get i t . To eat t h at f i sh f i l et , I h ad t o t r i ck m y br ai n i n t o n ot t h i n k i n g abou t w h at I
Back to m e, I w as sti l l l at th e m ap l e
r ep l aced
M om
col or i n g
book
an d
cr ay on s. W h y d i d Au n t N an tel l M om t o l i e to m e? Ly i n g w as w r on g. M y
w as eat i n g, or I m i gh t p u ke. A s I at e t h e f i r st f or k f u l of i t , I en v i si on ed a Ch r i st m as t r ee l i t w i t h r ed l i gh t s i n a r oom sm el l i n g of f r esh cu t p i n e. M y p l an w or ked : I t ast ed n ot h i n g bu t t h e gr een
bean s
an d
bu t t er y
m ash ed
p ot at oes.
Su n d ay sch ool teach er tau gh t m e th at.
I w an t t o t el l y ou som et h i n g, t h ou gh . I
Au n t
l ear n ed som et h i n g f r om t h i s r ock f i sh
N an
w en t
to
ch u r ch
ever y
Su n d ay, so sh e sh ou l d k n ow th at too. M om tau gh t m e th at som e l i es w er e ok ay, l i ke th e k i n d y ou tel l to sh ow y ou car e. "I 'm sor r y y ou r gr an d m oth er d i ed ? i s on e of th em . O f cou r se, h ow
d r am a t h at cou l d be p er f or m ed i n t h e sch ool au d i t or i u m . W h en y ou l i e, i t 's easy t o m ake a m i st ake an d get cau gh t . L ook at Au n t N an . A f t er t h at , w h o i s goi n g t o bel i eve an y t h i n g sh e say s?
cou l d I be sor r y M ar y ?s gr an d m oth er d i ed w h en I n ever m et h er ? Bu t th at
38
A r tw or k : Sar ah Gom ez
39
A r t w or k : Ad am Pl an t 40
A r k an sas, Sep t em b er 20 20 Em i ly B r ad l ey
?W h at?s th e good of an A m er i can w h o i sn ?t h ap p y ? H ap p i n ess w as al l w e h ad .? - Jam es Bal d w i n , Giovanni?s Room
N oth i n g i s bu r n i n g H er e. I l i sten A bove th e r i ver , d ogs bar k i n g T h e d r y er tu m bl i n g cl ean tow el s T h r ou gh th e n i gh t. M ost n i gh t s, t h e r i ver d r eam s O f h el i cop ter s, m ed i cal bl u e l i gh t s w ad i n g t h r ou gh m oon sh i n e A n d r i p p l ed ban k tow er l ogos. M ost n i gh t s, W e sl eep as a m ean s to d en y - w h at A r e w e su p p osed to k n ow ? W e sl eep Revel i n g i n sh al l ow br eath t h at i s sy m p t om at i c of N oth i n g. I on ce h ear d God I s ever y w h er e, i n v i si bl e, H oly Sp i r i t l i ke w i n d . I h ear d God sp eak s i n ton gu es of f l am e. For a w h i l e, w e ar e p i ou s i n a r el i gi on of w ai ti n g, aw ai t i n g W or d of d eat h t ol l s an d v acci n es. For a w h i l e, m y p r ay er i s sl eep . N oth i n g i s bu r n i n g h er e. O u t w est, scor ch ed acr es r each f u r t h er T h an th e f ol i age I p oi n t to agai n t h i s m or n i n g an d say, ?W h at?s th i s?? You k n ow th e n am es of t h i n gs. Som e d ay s, I w an t to bl am e y ou For ever y sh ad e of gr een . O u t w est , A n d n or th an d east, cr ow d s st i l l ch an t t h r ou gh su r gi cal m ask s T h e n am es Geor ge Fl oy d an d B r eon n a Tay l or , st i l l p r ay T h r ou gh tear gas an d stu n gr en ad es. W h at ver d an t p r ot est , n om en cl atu r e. I r em em ber t h at f i r st m i d n i gh t W e w an d er ed th i s i n f i r m ci t y, i t s cap i t ol st ep s al r ead y sw ep t cl ean . A l l I w an t ed w as t o d an ce i n aban d on ed cr ossw al k s, p ast p ly w ood sh op w i n d ow s p ai n ted i n a f u r y of bl ack n am es, Too m an y t o r ead . W h at?s th i s cal l ed , th e d i stan ce bet w een ex h au st i on an d p eace?
41
N oth i n g i s bu r n i n g h er e. A n ei gh bor boy i s l au n ch i n g ai r r ocket s I n th e str eet. H i s p ar en ts d on ?t tel l h i m T h e sm oke over Cal i f or n i a can be seen f r om sp ace. T h e cl osest th i n g w e?ve got to w i l d f i r e I s th e w om an n ex t d oor w h o ch ai n sm okes To p ass th e d ay s. T h ese d ay s, M y w ak i n g h ou r s ar e bu i l t of so m an y com p u t er scr een s, T h er e sh ou l d be m or e l i gh t i n m y ey es. M ay be I ?m sav i n g w h at?s l ef t For y ou . ?W h at?s th i s?? T h ese d ay s, I an sw er p h on es an d em ai l s, an sw er T r em bl i n g an d ap ath eti c voi ces, qu est i on s abou t a v i r u s. I cl ose a ch ar t, n ote: sep si s. I an sw er to a f ester i n g n o on e w an ted t o see. Bu t n oth i n g i s bu r n i n g H er e. For a w h i l e, w e stop l ook i n g At ou r p h on es. W e take T h e d og f or a w al k , l i sten to a d r u m m i n g ci r cl e I n th e p ar k . W e stop A n d l ook at th e tr ees. W e ar e h er e For a good cl i ch é. For a w h i l e, I f eel cap abl e agai n of ask i n g A bou t th i n gs th at bl oom . ?W h at?s th i s?? T h er e i s a ch u r ch i n y ou r n ei gh bor h ood For sal e, an d I w on d er i f i t i s p r of an e, T h i s ty p e of joy. For a w h i l e, W e ar e h er eti cs i n th e n ew r el i gi on , f or a w h i l e W e m ake cof f ee an d f or get w h at w e ar e w ai t i n g f or . W e l et th e p an cakes bu r n .
42
A r tw or k : O ctav i o Pajar o 43
The Liar The following five works are the winners of our lies-themed 250-word creative writing challenge!
44
N at u r e i s h o n est , w e ar e n o t Ton y W h al en - Ad am s W e'd go to h er cabi n w h er e I 'd becom e f ar t oo com f or t abl e. T h ey h ad a beau ti f u l l an d scap e of W est V i r gi n i a th e val l ey w h er e th e bear w as absen t , I k n ew th at sh e h ad th e sam e af f l i ct i on I 've on ly seen i n oth er I r i sh f am i l i es, ex agger ati n g to th e p oi n t of i m p ossi bl e l i es sh e n eed ed f or m e to l i st en . A l m ost n oth i n g sh e sai d w as t r u e, i t 's r ecogn i zabl e, t h e f u n sh e h ad tel l i n g stor i es, m y D ad w as th e sam e, ly i n g t o br eak f r om t h e r eal i t y n ot a m ou n tai n v i ew bu t t h e v al l ey w h er e th e m or i bu n d go t o sw el l an d r ot . I can tol er ate a l i ar . T h er e i s n ot h i n g w r on g i f y ou ask qu est i on s of w h i ch y ou d on 't car e abou t t h e an sw er . You can be w i th th em , th e l i ar n eed s com p an y, an d t oget h er w atch th e cl ou d s h ol d u p t h e bl u e sk y an d t h e ear t h w ei gh ed d ow n by m ou n tai n s str u n g toget h er i n ch ai n s of p i n e, t h e su n w an t s t o h i d e th e m oon i s ar r i v i n g ear ly w h en t h e eagl e f l i es h om e. A f ter th e ly i n g i s d on e w e can w at ch f or t h ei r r et u r n , car casses cl en ch ed an d th e bl ood i ed beak , l i es m ake i t i n ter esti n g, u n t i l t h e l i es begi n t o st i n g, n ot to be h el d accou n tabl e t o t h e sh i f t i n g n at u r e. Fr i en d sh i p , w h en th er e i s so l i t t l e t o go ar ou n d , i s som et i m es m or e i m p or t an t . M y com p an i on i s r ely i n g on m e t o l i st en an d I 'l l d eci d e w h at I w an t t o bel i eve. U n ti l th en I can u se h er too an d l i e d ow n i n a cabi n w i t h a v i ew.
45
A r tw or k : M ar k Saba
W h at t h e W i t ch T o l d M e L ou St or ey
H ad m y u n cl e d en i ed h i s l i e an d tol d
?H ow d o I becom e a good p er son ?? I
m e I w as cr azy, i t w ou l d h ave al l ow ed
asked .
m e a bi t l on ger stay i n th e com f or ti n g bel i ef
th at
gr ow i n g u p
?Fi ve bu ck s an d I ?ll t el l y ou ,? sh e sai d .
w as abou t A f or t u n e! I w en t h om e an d d i d a d eep
r each i n g p er f ecti on .
cou ch d i ve f or p ocket ch an ge, bu t st i l l Ad u l ts cou l d l i e. I h ad p r oof . U n ti l t h en I h ad th ou gh t i t i m p ossi bl e? on ly k i d s l i e. I t w as som e k i n d of d ef ect i n ch i l d r en th at w or ked i ts w ay ou t of y ou r sy stem w h en y ou got f at, bal d
cam e u p sh or t . I k n ew i t w as w r on g t o st eal f r om a w al l et , bu t t h i s w as f or a good cau se, t o m ake m e t h e k i n d of p er son w h o W O U L D N O T st eal f r om a w al l et . T h e en d ju st i f i ed t h e m ean s.
an d w h i sker ed ? i n oth er w or d s, ol d . Bu t n o, m y u n cl e h ad l i ed an d I cal l ed
H an d i n g over t h e m on ey t o t h e w i t ch . Sh e qu i ck ly st ash ed i t aw ay i n t h e
h i m on i t, ?So w h at?? H e sai d .
p ocket of h er vol u m i n ou s f l ow er - p r i n t T h i s m ad e n o sen se. N eed i n g
an sw er s,
m u u m u u , p l aced h er h an d s on h er I
th e
h i p s an d sai d , ?D on ?t be su ch a su cker .
ol d est p er son I k n ew on th e bl ock .
T h at ?s y ou r f i r st l esson i n h ow t o be
N or m al ly w e th r ew r ock s at h er d oor
sm ar t .?
an d cal l ed h er a w i tch . I k n ocked on h er d oor .
con su l ted
W i t h t h at sh e sh u t t h e d oor an d w as d on e w i t h m e.
46
A r tw or k : Sh u qi Gao
47
Pi e i n Par ad i se D i an al ee Vel i e I t al l star ted w i th a l i e. H e tol d m e h i s m oth er baked t h e best p i e w i th th ose r ed or bs, h e cal l ed ap p l es, h an gi n g on T h at tr ee. W h at a w h op p er ! I k n ew h e d i d n ?t h ave a m oth er . L ook , n o bel ly bu tton . N o n avel . W e w er e th r ee D p r i n ted by ou r cr eator an d p l aced i n Par ad i se n aked an d p er f ect, excep t h e w as m i ssi n g a r i b. M i ssi n g th e tr u th gen e al so. I p l ay ed al on g w i th h i s m oth er st or y an d p i cked th e r u by beau ti es an d baked a p i e. M y bi ggest m i stake tu r n ed ou t n ot so bad ly even th ou gh w e w er e i m m ed i ately asked t o l eave th e Gar d en . You see, I d i scover ed f ash i on . W h i l e h e w as con ten t w i th a f i g l eaf t o obey th e n ew r u l es cover i n g ou r n aked n ess bey on d th e gar d en gate, I m i xed col or s an d i n ven ted n ew sty l es t h at w ou l d soon cost th ou san d s w h en m on ey w as i n ven ted . I , th e p r ecu r sor of Coco Ch an n el , becam e am bi ti ou s, t h e i n sp i r ati on f or D i sn ey p r i n cess gow n s. I h ol d th e f i r st p aten t f or m y ap p l e l ogo w i th on e bi te taken ou t to si gn i f y w h y w e w er e asked to l eave th e Gar d en , f or ever .
48
A r tw or k : K ay l a Br an stetter 49
Gasl i gh t Ear l M i n oza Per h ap s th ey cal l i t gaslighting becau se h e str i p p ed th e ai r f r om m y l u n gs t o t or ch u p ever y th i n g I k n ew abou t m y sel f . B ecau se h e tr i ed to k i l l m e by ker osen e l am p , gl ass sh atter ed l i ke m y cor n ea agai n st h i s n er f gu n . Fr actu r ed v i si on . Sh ot m e i n t h e m i d d l e of w i n ter . T h at?s w h y I cou l d n ot see m y sel f w i th er i n g. D r y i n g m y ch l or op h y l l ed l u n gs u n ti l I w as ju st k i n d l i n g, r ead y t o bu r n w i t h on e stol en k i ss, i gn i ted ben eat h a can op y of t r ees on a h i ke I w as n ever even p ar t of . H e kep t m e i n h i s p ocket, f l i cked m e op en w h en h e n eed ed a sm oke. Som eti m es I w on d er i f y ou k n ew I w as th er e. N i coti n e stu f f ed i n h i s jean p ocket w h en h e sl i p p ed th em of f to cl i m b i n bed w i t h y ou . H ow I sh u d d er ed w i th th e sh ake of y ou r bed . H ow, even af ter h e cam e i n si d e y ou , h e w ou l d p l ace m e betw een h i s l i p s an d br eat h e m e i n .
50
A r tw or k : Em i ly K n ow l es
51
T h e L i ar 's Ju i ce St ep h an i e Pai ge I u sed th e sh ar p en d of a tw i g to scr ap e
t h e ad u l t s d r an k . T h at ju i ce t h at m ad e al l
som e d i r t ou t f r om u n d er m y n ai l s. N ow
t h e w om en
I h ave d i r t u n d er m y n ai l s an d a f ew
an gr y.I h at e t h at y ou cal l ed i t ju i ce w h en
sp l i n ter s, too. I t?s y ou r f au l t. I t?s y ou r
i t w as w i n e, an d I h at e t h em , an d I h ate
f au l t abou t th e d i r t an d th e sp l i n ter s an d
y ou .
t h e f act th at I ?m al on e an d th e f act th at I d on ?t k n ow w h at h ap p en ed to y ou an d
gi ggl e an d
al l
t h e m en
I h ear d y ou , even t h r ou gh t h e t h i ck w al l s. N ow I h ear y ou i n m y h ead .
y ou d on ?t k n ow w h at h ap p en ed to m e. ?I t w asn ?t f u ck i n g m e! I ?m n ot a t h i ef , t h at You br ou gh t m e th er e. You th ou gh t w e
boy i s a l i ar !?
sh ou l d r u n f ar f r om ou r p r obl em s an d go t h er e f or h el p . You tol d m e to tr u st th em . T h ose p eop l e w h o al l l i ved i n a bi g bu i l d i n g togeth er . T h ose p eop l e w h o tol d u s t h at w e sh ou l d alw ay s be h on est. So I w as h on est. I tol d th em th at i t w as y ou w h o took th e l ast bottl e of th e r ed ju i ce
I k n ew t h at ?s w h at y ou sai d , even t h ou gh y ou sai d i t cl u m si ly, w i t h each w or d cr ash i n g i n t o t h e n ex t . T h ey t ol d y ou t h at l i es w ou l d be p u n i sh ed . A n d I can ?t l i e, I d on ?t car e en ou gh abou t y ou t o f i n d ou t w h at t h at m ean t f or m e. So I r an , t oo.
A r t w or k : Sam Josep h 52
WRITERS Robert Kostanczuk won first place for “Best Personality Profile” in a 1992 competition sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists, Indianapolis chapter. His fiction piece Safe Haven for Nathan was published in Homicide Lullabies: A Collection of Adult Horror Stories (2016: Severance Publications Ltd.). In 2019, Robert's beastly yarn, A Stirring in the Woodland, was published by Schlock! Webzine of the United Kingdom. Gabriel McLeod currently lives in Florida with his two daughters in a home where books and stories fill every room. He is currently working on a chapbook of poetry and a collection of shorts stories. His work has been featured in Storyteller Magazine and The Elephant Journal. Judith Rypma’s most recent poetry books include the full-length collection Amber Notes, and a chapbook, Worshipping at Lenin's Mausoleum (both from FutureCycle Press). Her first novel, The Amber Beads, was released by Black Opal Books. She teaches literature at Western Michigan University. Corrina Bland loves her kin and mates hard, no matter how dodgy they are. She lives close to the sea, works with kids and always looks up. Siu Siu Sik is a freelance writer living in Vancouver, British Columbia. He loves to travel and sit on a bus passing miles and miles of rice fields, grass, trees, rivers, mountains. His work has been featured in The Write Launch, Typishly, and Turnpike Magazine. H.Sarah Blumenthal is a poet from New York City. Jan Wesley is the author of Living in Freefall and three chapbooks. Her poems have appeared in Iowa Review, Rattle, Spillway, Blue Mountain Review among other magazines, and book reviews appeared in Poetry International. She was a film editor, taught writing in college, and teaches writing workshops in Los Angeles. Jane Ehrenfeld is an educator, lawyer, writer, mediator, and single mom to three daughters, among other things. She has published nonfiction essays in The Washington Post, Quartz, and The Huffington Post; satirical essays in McSweeney's Internet Tendency and Slackjaw; poetry in Prometheus Dreaming; and has a short story forthcoming in The Dillydoun Review. Her writing can be found at https://whimsyandpique.substack.com/ Lael Cassidy has published 16 nonfiction children's books. Her poems and short stories have appeared in Headline Poetry and Press, Silver Birch, Underwood Press, and Beyond Words. Shutta Crum’s recent poems are in Blue Mountain Review, Typehouse, Stoneboat, Better Than Starbucks and Southern Poetry Review. Forthcoming: Main Street Rag. Her chapbook When You Get Here (2020) won a gold Royal Palm Literary (Florida, US) award. Her book, THUNDER-BOOMER! was a Smithsonian Magazine and American Library Assoc. notable book. www.shutta.com Sheila Bitts is the author of The Diamond Escape and the screenplay based on it, and is currently working on a second novel. She has written the poetry book Roses. She is an MFA student at Lindenwood University and an editorial assistant for The Lindenwood Review issue #11. Gina Lee is an MFA candidate in creative writing at the University of Texas in El Paso. Her poems have been published in Rio Grande Review and forthcoming in Berkeley Poetry Review's annual journal and MIDTERM chapbook. John Drudge is a social worker working in the field of disability management. He holds degrees in social work, rehabilitation services, and psychology. He is the author of three books of poetry: March (2019), The Seasons of Us (2019) and New Days (2020). His work has appeared in numerous literary journals, magazines, and anthologies internationally. John is also a Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net nominee and lives in Caledon Ontario, Canada with his wife and two children. Liam Day has been a youth worker, teacher, coach, school administrator, public health professional, political campaign manager, and professional basketball player. His poems have appeared at Slow Trains, Apt, and Wilderness House Literary Review. His essays and op-eds have appeared in the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Annalemma, and The Good Men Project, where he served as sports editor for three years. His first poetry collection, Afforded Permanence, was nominated for a 2015 Massachusetts Book Award. He is currently nearing completion of his second collection.
S.R. Cristy is a New York native, poet, film lover, and Riot Grrrl enthusiast who specializes in weaving together delicate and grotesque imagery that cuts to the core. Never one to shy away from examining the darker aspects of life, she’s developed a penchant for using her writing as a way to explore ideas of isolation, trauma, and regeneration through a feminine lens. Dick Altman writes at 7,000 feet in Santa Fe, where reality and imagination often blur. His work appears here and abroad. He is a poetry winner of Santa Fe New Mexican’s annual literary competition. His first collection of poems, Voices in the Heart of Stones, is being considered for publication. Joseph Ruhland is a senior history and journalism student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in the United States of America. Currently working on poetry compilations that tackle the raw realness LGBTQ+ love, as well as his debut fiction novel, Ruhland dreams of life and love in New York City after graduation. Hana Beachy-Quick lives in Fort Collins, Colorado. Her writing tries to illuminate strange everyday encounters through small poems and prose. Emma McNamara is a 19-year-old national award-winning writer from Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Scholastic Art and Writing, Storm of Blue, Tech Directions, Eunoia Review, and elsewhere. Emma's passions include mental health awareness, disability advocacy, and LGBTQ+ issues. Follow her on Instagram @author_emma. Darren Power is a lawyer by trade, and a writer of poetry, short stories and lyrics in spirit. Much of Darren’s writing is introspective, or an observation on the remarkable world around us that is sometimes unnoticed. His creativity is often fed by personal experiences and moments paused while paddling, running or otherwise enjoying the waterways and forests in both daylight and darkness. He is driven by a love and deep respect for life and the timeless beauty of writing, as well as a passion for the wonderfully infinite combinations of words that wander to his mind and fingertips. He is also father to two beautiful daughters, Brooke and Alexandra, who help him see the world through their eyes as well. Susan Fairfax Reid has been a freelance writer since she worked at the Baltimore Sunpapers. She has been published in newspapers in the United States and international online publications. Emily Bradley holds an MFA in poetry from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She has served as an assistant poetry editor for Grist: A Journal of the Literary Arts and as an editorial intern for Sundress Publications. She currently lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with her cat, Mackie. Tony Whalen-Adams is a lawyer and civil servant living in York, Pennsylvania with his husband. Currently he is completing his first book of poetry. Writer, artist and psychotherapist, Lou Storey’s focus is on words, images and people. Publications of essays and poetry include The New Yorker, NYTimes, and academic journals. Dianalee Velie is the Poet Laureate of Newbury NH. She is the author of five books of poetry, Glass House, First Edition, The Many Roads to Paradise, The Alchemy of Desire, Ever After and a collection of short stories, Soul Proprietorship: Women in Search of Their Souls. Her new poetry collection, Italian Lesson, is forthcoming. She is founder of the John Hay Poetry Society. Plucked from the Pearl of the Orient, Earl “Owen” Minoza is a budding writer living in Nyack, NY whose writing has appeared in such bodies of work as The Voyager, Odyssey Online, Fiction War Magazine, & Wingless Dreamer, and encompasses a breadth of topics from sexuality & identity, to voicelessness & violence, to abuse & religion. Currently, Earl “Owen” Minoza is working towards a doctorate in Clinical Psychology while trying to stay sane during this recent global crisis. Stephanie Paige is an unpublished author and student in Houston, Texas.
VISUAL ARTISTS Cover art: C:\>surrender.exe by Sofie Rosalien Deen. Sofie is a self-taught visual artist and writer with a background in Communications and Business Administration. She focuses on the translation of the subconscious by turning dreams into photograph series, paintings and poetry. In September 2020 she created an exhibition based on her recently published poetry and photography book Raw., and is currently working on a second book and a photograph series which will be exhibited in Spring 2021. Patrice Bavos, Night Delivery; Common Denominator. Born March 8, 1957, Patrice presently lives in the historic district of North Plainfield, New Jersey. Residing at the enchanting “The House at 29M” is her son with special needs, and 3 rascal cats. Previous work life was printing & design, thrift store/art gallery combo, and tending to women in need. Roberta Berman, Self-portrait (graphite on paper, 8 1/2"x11"); My Keyboard with the Wailing Wall (photomontage, 8 1/2"x11"). Berman is a writer and a multi-media artist living in New York City. Her work, often inter-active and collaborative, is performed and exhibited in traditional and nontraditional settings worldwide including galleries, jazz clubs, television, theatre, hospitals, parks, colleges and private collections. Lindsey Grant, Mixed Tape Memo. Self-identifying as a neurodiverse, two-spirit, elder storyteller with deep roots in The Pacific Northwest, Lindsey’s focus is recycling media, ideas, and themes... offering a new voice to the disheartened, discarded, and disenfranchised. Liz Kerr, Vented. Liz is a Registered Nurse in Heart Transplant and Oncology at a Philadelphia hospital. She holds an M.F.A. from Arcadia University. Kathrine Cays is an artist-poet and founder of Teleios Studios in New Hill, North Carolina, where she writes and creates interdisciplinary artwork. Kathrine leads workshops that intersect creative writing and visual arts, focusing on understanding and healing the human spirit. She is a candidate for a master’s degree in art therapy and creative development at Pratt Institute in New York. Fabio Sassi, Fading Identities. Fabio makes acrylics and photos. He uses logos, icons, tiny objects, discarded stuff. He often puts a quirky twist to his subjects or employs an unusual perspective that gives a new angle of view. Fabio lives in Bologna, Italy. View his work at www.fabiosassi.foliohd.com Diamante Lavendar, Dreaming of Spring. Diamante lives in Midwest US. Her art is created in regard to the themes of spirituality, the human condition, and the interdependent relationship between humanity and the environment. The majority of her work is mixed media digital art which includes some or all of the following: photography, fractals, drawing, painting, and digital art. Sarah Gomez, Deadfish, Export. Sarah is constructing misidentification of the mirrored-self due to grief, illness, and trauma. She paints the body slightly strained with the clench of a hand or the stretch of a neck to depict the restrictions and barriers language possesses while one strives for internal understanding. Her figures are found interacting with subtly deteriorating domestic objects build of frosted mylar, cold wax, and tape to characterize a disentanglement from the ubiquitous man-made system of identity and vocabulary. Ed Fairburn, Richmond. Ed was born in 1989, and graduated from art school early 2012. Since late 2012 he’s been combining maps with portraiture, a process he calls 'topopointillism' (topography x pointillism). He makes gradual changes to the map features, teasing out the human form - this results in a comfortable coexistence of figure and landscape. He aims to preserve each map as much as possible, drawing with the landscapes, as opposed to on or over them. Caroline McMillan Davey, Blackbird. Caroline is inspired to paint the nature surrounding the area she lives in Somerset, England. Her oil paintings capture the beauty in the landscapes and wildlife that are a constant source of joy and inspiration. More work can be seen at www.carolinemcmillandavey.co.uk Velibor Baćo, Liminality. Velibor was born in Bosnia and came to Austria as a war refugee. After studying law in Salzburg, Austria he worked in the banking industry. Currently living in Vienna, Austria he paints abstract art and writes German and English poetry and prose. Joanna Baxter, Hvalfjarðarsveit, Western Iceland. Joanna is an emerging writer and conceptual artist from Vancouver, BC. Pieces of this collection, called Man Down, have been selected to headline a group show in Ottawa, ON in March 2021. Her non-fiction is published in Emerge 18 from Simon Fraser University and she is a frequent contributor to the online mag Pelak 52.
Robin London, Bouquet, Deconstructed; Deep Sea Dream. Robin is an artist and mother living in beautiful Austin, Texas. Her art is very intuitive, textural, colorful, and emotionally connected. Art is a healing force for Robin and her hope is that it is for others, too. Robin has a biological sciences background, and the events of 2020 brought her back to her first love, creativity and art. Her art is currently also being exhibited in a group exhibition at Art For The People Gallery in Austin, Texas, “Celebration Of..”, through August 2021. It has attracted interest from local and international galleries, and is part of private art collections around the world. IG: inkery.art Lucy Brooks, The Artist's Eye. Lucy’s piece represents how artists see the world differently. Sergio Renato Ordonez, Each Part of Me. Sergio is a photographer by passion - he sees in everything a relation between image and soul. He's a Drag - he loves to live the duality. He’s a graphic designer - he loves to create and transform forms and lines. He's a poet - he loves to uncover hidden thoughts. He's a polyglot - he loves to know and understand his neighbours. He’s a man, a child, a woman, an adult - he loves the diverse faces of his interior. He's an artist - he loves to love everyone, everything. He's a human being – he lives in this world. Mane Hovhannisyan, Clockwork Eye. Mane is an Armenian fine art and conceptual photographer. The preferred topics of her art are the reflection of the state in-between magic and reality, the correspondence of the human body to the natural and urban environment, as well as the discovery of old soviet architectural leftovers through the means of photography. The photo series Blue Sun is recipient of Tbilisi Photography & Multimedia Museum grant for South Caucasus Female Photographers (2020) mentored by Grégoire Eloy. Casandra Gong, Medusa and I. Casandra is a nineteen-year-old artist who enjoys creating art in many mediums. In addition to digital art, Casandra enjoys sculpting, painting, and throwing. Casandra particularly enjoys creating art featuring frogs. Kimberly Shyu is a Digital Product Leader. She uses the world around her to inspire art and writing in her free time. She is an aspiring creative author and plans to publish children's books, young adult fiction and a memoir. See more at www.kimshyu.com Adam Plant, All This Elastic. Adam may seem like yer typical ugly art guy who does typical ugly art but this simply isn't true... he also has a dirty little mustache (so that's gotta mean something right?) Since 2015, Adam has worked as a multimedia artist, filmmaker, music composer, discount-author, and founder of the record label EEZY SLEEZ. Adam's work is heavily inspired by a morbid appreciation for his childhood nostalgia, as well as his scathing apathy for the modern digitalized world and the poor mental health associated with being "human" in the 21 century. Both his art and film has been showcased around the globe where it was described as "a feast for the senses followed by conceptual food poisoning". All Adam's indecency can be found at www.lonelyaroma.com Octavio Pajaro, Caught Dancing in the Woods. Octavio is a heart surgeon by day and also by night. He is a father and a husband 24/7. He likes to take photos, compose music and write about stuff he dares to dream up. Our thoughts and our feelings are often like vapor, physically unbounded, ungraspable yet real. To capture the intangible, he is a writer, composer and photographer. Mark Saba, View from Cadillac Mountain. Mark has been writing fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction for 40 years. His book publications include four works of fiction and three of poetry, most recently Two Novellas: A Luke of All Ages / Fire and Ice (fiction), Calling the Names (poetry) and Ghost Tracks (stories about Pittsburgh, where he grew up). His work has appeared widely in literary magazines around the U.S. and abroad. He is also a painter, and works as a medical illustrator at Yale University. Please see marksabawriter.com. Shuqi Gao, Ride or Die, Spirit Guide. Shuqi is an artist and therapist from Xi’an, China. She graduated and received an MFA Publishing Fellowship for AMP: Always Electric at Hofstra University. Her art focuses on art, psychology and current issues. Please visit: https://www.wolfwithnumbers.com/ Kayla Branstetter, An Apple A Day. Kayla is an educator, mother, writer, artist, and photographer from Missouri. She holds an MALS degree in Art, Literature, and Culture from the University of Denver. Her creative nonfiction, art, and photography have appeared in the following journals: the Crowder Quill, Light & Space "All Women" exhibit, The Human Family-Human Rights Festival, The Paragon Press-Echo: Journal of Creative Nonfiction, 805+, High Shelf Press, The Esthetic Apostle, the gyara journal, Fredericksburg Literary and Art Review, a former contributing writer to a regional magazine Ozark Hills and Hollows. Emily Knowles, His Hand. Emily is a painter and writer who tries to bring a little bit of light to the world. She spends most of her days in Maine but escapes to the west coast of Florida whenever possible. Sam Joseph, Train. Wine. Bottle. Sam learned camera basics from his father as a child and otherwise is self-taught. Mostly influenced by the city of New York, Sam loves to travel and recently has relocated to Taos, NM where he hopes to concentrate more on art.
Contents 0 1 Rober t Kostan czu k Com i n g A l on g Sw i m m i n gly 0 4 Gabr i el M cL eod T h u n d er cr acked a h ol e 0 5 Ju d i th Ry p m a T h e Si n ger 0 6 Cor r i n a Bl an d Su n d ay 0 7 Si u Si u Si k Eter n i ty 0 9 H .Sar ah Bl u m en th al T h e W or l d as D i sco B al l 10 Jan W esl ey I n v i si bl e 12 Jan e Eh r en f el d I D r ove Past B r ook si d e 14 L ael Cassi d y B or n 16 Sh u tta Cr u m H ow to Pr op er ly Read a Pap er M ap 18 Sh ei l a Bi tts Fr ozen O ver Ri p p l es i n a Pon d 21 Gi n a L ee Ch r i s B r ow n on Rotati on 22 Joh n D r u d ge Fr agm en ts of Fai th 24 L i am D ay Ey jaf jal l ajök u l l 26 S.R. Cr i sty You W ear You r Gr i ef 27 D i ck A l tm an D ow n f r om L i f e: H ou r 152 28 Josep h Ru h l an d I A m You r Em p i r e 30 H an a Beach y - Q u i ck D ay l i gh t Sav i n gs 32 Em m a M cN am ar a M ed u sa an d I 34 D ar r en Pow er I See You 37 Su san Fai r f ax Rei d L i es, Fi sh an d M e 41 Em i ly Br ad l ey A r k an sas, Sep tem ber 20 20
Beyond Words I nternational Literary M agazine
I SBN 978- 3- 948977- 0 9- 2
44 T h e L i ar Ch al l en ge i n cl u d i n g Ton y W h al en - Ad am s, L ou St or ey, D i an al ee Vel i e, Ear l M i n oza an d St ep h an i e Pai ge