Beyond Words Literary Magazine, Issue 23, February 2022 by Beyond Words Literary Magazine

Issue 23 February 2022

Beyond Words

A r tw or k : A n d r ea Jon es

Bey on d W or d s ? I n ter n at i on al L i t er ar y M agazi n e I ssu e 23, Febr u ar y 20 22 Ed i tor : Gal Sl on i m Read er s: A n gel a Ch eveau , Cassan d r a H am i l t on , M ar i am Ph i l l i p s, Kel ly Sar gen t

Cop y r i gh t © B ey 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 A n gel a C h ev eau i s a w r i t er f r om L i ver p ool w h o l oves to w r i t e p oetr y an d sh or t st or i es. Sh e h as r ecen t ly been p u bl i sh ed i n tw o an th ol ogi es w i th W r i ti n g O n T h e W al l an d h as h ad h er w or k p er f or m ed by L ou d Voi ces Si l en t Str eets, ch osen to be r ead ou t on BB C Rad i o M er sey si d e an d al so h ad on e of h er p oem s ch osen to be p ar t of t h e Poet r y M osai c f or L an caster L i tf est . Sh e al so r ecen tly cam e th i r d i n t h e For ei gn L an gu ages secti on of th e 26 th K u sam ak u r a H ai k u com p eti t i on , som et h i n g sh e i s h on ou r ed to h ave ach i eved . C assan d r a H am i l t o n i s a d i sabl ed ar t i st/ w r i ter w i t h tr au m at i c br ai n i n ju r y an d cen tr al v i si on l oss i n on e ey e. Sh e teach es Act i ve D r eam i n g (a sy n th esi s of m od er n d r eam w or k an d sh am an i sm ) th r ou gh h er com p an y B ear D og D r eam i n g. H er w r i t i n g h as ap p ear ed i n Br ev i t y B l og, 10 1 W or d s, T h e D oor O p en er M agazi n e an d th r ee W r i ti n g I t Real A n th ol ogi es by Sh ei l a B en d er . M ar i am Ph i l l i p s st u d i ed jou r n al i sm i n col l ege an d h ave ju st r ecen tly got ten back i n to w r i t i n g f or p l easu r e. Sh e l i ves i n N ash v i l l e, T N w i th h er k i d an d p u p . K el l y Sar gen t ?s p oem s an d ar t w or k i n 20 21, i n cl u d i n g a cu r r en t B est of th e N et n om i n ee, ap p ear ed or ar e f or t h com i n g i n m or e th an tw o d ozen l i t er ar y p u bl i cati on s. H er d ebu t p oet r y ch ap book en ti tl ed Seeing Voices: Poetry in M otion i s al so f or t h com i n g (Kel say B ook s, 20 22). Sh e h as ser ved as Cr eati ve N on f i cti on Ed i tor of T he Bookends Review an d an assi st an t n on f i cti on ed i tor f or Newfound. Sh e al so r ev i ew s f or a l i ter ar y m agazi n e d ed i cated to m ak i n g v i si bl e th e ar ti sti c ex p r essi on of sex u al v i ol en ce su r v i vor s.

Fi r st p r i n t i n g, Febr u ar y 20 22 I SBN 978- 3- 948977- 96- 2

B l u e Pr ay er s B l u e Pr ay er s Sam u el A r m en Sam u el A r m en

A s a l i ttl e boy, al on e i n m y r oom , I ?d en d m y ever y si n gl e even i n g p r ay er by h ol d i n g m y br eat h f or as l on g as I cou l d ?

an d beggi n g God t o p l ease col l ect th e ai r t h at I ?d r eject an d i n st ead p r ov i d e i t to t h ose w h o n eed ju st on e m or e br eat h to f ar e

t h e d ay, to becom e good n ew s f or th ose w ai t i n g i n h osp i t al p ew s ? u n ti l m y t w i sti n g f ace w ou l d f ad e to bl u e.

A s a m an , I w atch ed t h e p l asti c tu bes m y m oth er u sed t o r ep ai r h er l u n gs af ter w ay w ar d d r u gs l ef t th em br u i sed .

I ?d d ar e m y m om t o t ake a str on ger p u f f ? st ar i n g, w or r i ed , an d bear i n g p an i cked th ou gh ts ? so sh e cou l d m ake h er l u n gs str on g en ou gh .

O n th ose w ear y d ay s, I f el t l ost ? al on e an d gl ar i n g at w h at th e n u m ber s r ead ? betw een t w o h op ef u l p r ay er s at on ce.

A r tw or k : Ser ge L ecom te

Po st car d f r o m t h e Pl an et o f W i n d Ad r i an a Sti m ol a

O n ly i n M ay, w h er e d i st an ce d ecei ves u s an d even obsi d i an can gr ow u p to gr aze on th e r oad si d es, w h er e a l ake r i ses u p an d r ai n s d ow n l i ke a p l ay th i n g, w h er e th ose star s ar en ?t star s bu t ti n , bl ow n en d over - en d , can I see w h er e w e f i t : a sp at ter i n g of p op p i es u n d er a sp at ter i n g of ol d l i gh t l oom i n g over a u sel ess f en ce.

A r tw or k : Bar bar a T l u sh

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A r tw or k : Step h an i e M i l l er

Fi b o n acci 's N o n et Jon ath an Can t T h e gr ap ev i n e ten d r i l s sp i r al an d sw i r l as t h e n au ti l u s sh el l s ex p an d . T h e ex p on en ti al ar t w or k s i n N at u r e?s gol d en p l an ? a r at i o f or w h i r l p ool i n g stor m s an d t h e cu r l of r am s? h or n s.

A r tw or k : M ar l en e M i l l er

O l d Sam 's Jo b Bl ake N ox Gam a A job op p or t u n i t y f el l on m y l ap , an d t h i s t i m e i t w asn ?t even som et h i n g i l l egal l i ke sel l i n g w eat h er - p at t er n d ata f or th e D i v i n e O r d er so t h ey cou l d com e an d sm ash t h e Com p an y ?s cl i m at e r egu l at or s an d say i t w as al l i n th e n am e of t h ei r god an d th ei r i d ea of cl ean si n g t h e w or l d of i m p u r i t y. I 'd r ath er st ay f i l l i n g r ep or t s an d goi n g to i n vest i gat e cou n tr y - si d ed tow n s f or an om al i es, th an su p p or t p sy ch os. W i t h m y l i tt l e to n o m agi cal t r ai n i n g st am p ed i n f r on t of m y r esu m e, I h ad l i tt l e ch an ce of d oi n g som et h i n g m or e exci ti n g th an m y cu r r en t job f or at l east sever al y ear s. So w h en my r egi on al m an ager cal l ed m e to d i scu ss m y n ex t assi gn m en t i n h er of f i ce, I w as su r p r i sed . Sh e u su al ly ju st sen d s m e n oti f i cat i on s t el l i n g m e w h i ch ci ty I n eed t o i n sp ect . W h en I en ter ed h er of f i ce, sh e w as f r ow n i n g, h er atten t i on f l i cker i n g betw een th e tw o com p u t er scr een s on h er d esk an d th e t abl et on h er h an d . I th ou gh t sh e h ad n ?t seen m e u n t i l sh e sai d , ?T h i s t ow n y ou ?r e goi n g to i s a st r an ge on e. I can ?t f i n d an y f i l e on t h em .? Sh e l ooked u p an d m et m y ey es. ?I w i l l n eed to k n ow w h y w e d on ?t h ave f i l es on th em an d h ow an d f or h ow l on g th ey ?ve m an aged to be en v i r on m en tal ly saf e.? T h at l ook . I k n ow w h at i t m ean t. I t

w as both a test an d a th r eat . D on ?t y ou d ar e br i n g m e a vagu e r ep or t on th i s on e. I n ever w r i t e th em i n ten t i on al ly vagu e. I f I f or get to d etai l th e sh ap e of th e cl ou d s f or th e l ast th r ee m on th s, I get cal l ed on . T h ose d etai l s k i l l m e. I gave m y boss a n eu t r al , ?O f cou r se.? Sh e sen t m e ou t r i gh t aw ay i n on e of th e d ozen sel f - d r i ven car s th e Com p an y p ossessed . Sh e w aved aw ay an y com m en t I m i gh t m ake by say i n g, i t?ll be f aster . I th an ked h er an d l ef t. Getti n g a r i d e i n w h i ch I d i d n ?t h ave to m ake sm al l tal k abou t th e tr en d i est p r op h ecy on T V w as a bl essi n g. I t w as a p eacef u l f i ve h ou r tr i p h ear i n g th e sof t gr ow l of th e en gi n e an d th e h u m m i n g of th e car ?s l ev i tat or . I d ozed of f at l east tw i ce, bu t I w as al er t en ou gh to n oti ce th e gr ad u al ch an ge of l an d scap e f r om th e Com p an y ?s m ai n ci t y, A k r op ol i s. I t s gl eam i n g gl ass an d steel sk y scr ap er s an d w el l - tr i m m ed tr ees f ad ed u n ti l th e w i l d er n ess of vegetat i on an d r ock su r r ou n d ed m e. Yar d s an d y ar d s of tr ee tr u n k s tw i st ed i n t o i m p ossi bl e h or i zon tal sh ap es or en ti r ely sn ap p ed i n h al f an d ch ar r ed by l i gh tn i n g. A n op p r essi ve p u r p l e- gr ay sw am p - l an d ex ten d ed f or m i l es, gi v i n g th e i l l u si on of goi n g on f or ever l i ke th e ocean .

D esp i te h av i n g seen t h i s v i ew ever y t i m e I w en t on a m i ssi on , th e si gh t of d estr u ct i on , of w h at cou l d h ap p en w i t h ou t th e cl i m ate r egu l ator s? t h at t er r i bl e h el p l ess f eel i n g of bei n g at t h e m er cy of som eth i n g th is bi g an d vol ati l e? af ter al m ost t w o y ear s, sti l l l ef t m e w i t h goosebu m p s. W h en I w oke u p n ex t , th e sw am p h ad d i sap p ear ed an d w as r ep l aced by w et gr ass an d bou l d er s, sever al of th em en vel op ed w i th v i br an t gr een m oss. I p assed t h r ou gh som e h i l l s w i th l an d sl i d es an d p on d s sp i l l i n g ou t w at er . W h i l e tak i n g n otes on m y t abl et I bar ely gl i m p sed t h e t ow n ?s si gn , W el com e t o Fai r h op e. A ch i l l r an t h r ou gh m e l i ke som eon e h ad sl ow ly d r agged a k n i f e th r ou gh t h e back of m y n eck . I star tl ed , r ecoi l ed , al m ost d r op p ed t h e tabl et . I gl an ced ar ou n d tr y i n g t o f i n d th e l i n ger i n g t r aces of th at st r on g m an a. T h e voi d i t s absen ce cau sed al m ost ach ed . T h e w h ol e t ow n f el t l i ke f r esh ly br u i sed sk i n , sor e, sen si t i ve an d u n u sed to p ai n . I d i r ected t h e car t o w h er e I cou l d f eel m or e t r aces of th i s en er gy, i n stead of goi n g t o th e m ay or ?s of f i ce. I stood i n f r on t of t h e ben ch f aci n g th e l ake, t h at p ecu l i ar ch i l l r esu r gi n g. I t seem ed t o com e f r om t h e ben ch ; I l ooked ar ou n d . T h er e w er e n o u n ch ar ged f or ce- f i el d cr y stal s, a ch eap er an d l ess r el i abl e op ti on t h an th e Com p an y ?s m ach i n er y, on e th at an y m i d d l e- l evel ed p sy ch i c can cr eate

to p r otect a p l ace f or i n cl em en t w eath er . I took d eep br eath s an d tr i ed to p i n p oi n t w h er e I cou l d f i n d m or e tr aces of th i s m an a si gn atu r e. M y sear ch br ou gh t m e to a bar . Peop l e w er e tal k i n g i n h u sh ed ton es w h en I en t er ed . T h ey stop p ed f or a m om en t to l ook m e over , bef or e com i n g back to th ei r d r i n k s an d con ver sat i on s. I asked th e bar ten d er w h y ever y on e l ooked so d ejected . A f ter r ear r an gi n g th e bott l es on th e sh el f , th e bar ten d er tu r n ed to m e an d tol d m e w h at I al r ead y k n ew by d r i v i n g ar ou n d tow n : th ey w er e r av aged by h u r r i can es an d l i gh tn i n g. A f ter obser v i n g his absen t beh av i or I com m en ted , "y ou seem to be i n m ou r n i n g." T h at su r p r i sed h i m . "O n e of m y r egu l ar s d i ed a f ew d ay s ago," h e con f essed . T he sam e d ay th e w eath er an om al i es star ted , I th ou gh t. A f ter f u r th er p r om p ti n g, h e tol d m e abou t th e m an th e tow n sf ol k u sed to cal l O l d Sam , even th ou gh h e d i d n ?t l ook a d ay over 60 , bu t th e n i ck n am e stu ck . O l d Sam w as a w i d ow er , a l on er an d an assi d u ou s r egu l ar . A bi t of a w ei r d o, w i th h i s p ap er n otebook s an d col or f u l an ecd otes, bu t h ar m l ess. Fr i en d ly en ou gh to alw ay s say h i s good m or n i n gs w h en en ter i n g a r oom , alw ay s w i th a con ven i en t ad v i ce h i d d en i n h i s w or d s w h en he ap p r oach ed som eon e. H i s cl oth es an d boots w er e n ever w et on a r ai n y d ay, h e n ever com p l ai n ed of h i s joi n ts i n w i n t er , an d n ever w as bi tt en by an i n sect i n su m m er , even th ou gh h al f

of th e t ow n w as scr at ch i n g th ei r ar m s.

a w i l d w ave of joy. I t cou l d n ?t be tr u e. I d r op p ed al l p r eten ses an d sh ow ed th e bar ten d er m y agen t l i cen se, tr y i n g n ot to sm i l e l i ke a f ool .

T h e bar ten d er sh ook h i s h ead , r egr et f l ash ed i n h i s ey es w h en h e sai d , "I sh ou l d h ave tol d som eon e. H e cam e h er e t h e d ay bef or e h e d i ed . H e cam e i n , h e w as str essed , h e or d er ed a f u l l bott l e of w h i skey, h e l ooked ar ou n d con stan tly. Som et i m es h e w ou l d star t m u tt er i n g u n ti l h e w as br eath l ess, h e w ou l d ben d over l i ke a gr eat p r essu r e w as d r i l l i n g on h i s h ead an d h i s ey es w ou l d gr ow br i gh t er ."

?W h er e d i d th i s O l d Sam u sed to l i ve?? I op en ed O l d Sam ?s h ou se w i th m y h ear t p ou n d i n g w i l d ly i n m y ch est. H e d i d n ?t even tr y to h i d e i t. I t w as l i ke Sam w an t ed a su ccessor to f i n d his gr i m oi r e. I h el d th e l eath er - bou n d vol u m e cl ose to m y ch est l i ke on e h ol d s th e p r om i se of a n ew d ay.

I k n ew en ou gh abou t m agi c l or e to be al m ost com p l etely con su m ed by

A r tw or k : Bl an d i n e Br oom f i el d

A r tw or k : El i zabeth Bl ai sd el l

T h e K i n gd o m Ben jam i n Rose not all those who wander are lost N i gh t f al l s on th e K i n gd om of th e M ay f i r e, Gar bi n g th e gow n of th e h i l l s i n f l am e as O n e by on e gol d en l an t er n s aw aken A gai n st th e gr ey r oad si d e, w h er e K i r by w i n d s H er w ay th r ou gh w ood l an d s u n d ef or ested , Fl ed gi n g th e Potom ac?s sou th er n m ost ban k W h er e l oom th e p al ati al h om es of th e r i ch L i ke r ed - br i ck cast l es ol d r om an ces tel l . I r em em ber i t al l . I r em em ber i t w el l . A n d I , w h o k n ow th i s su bu r ban Gar d en I s sew n i n m y vei n s coev al w i t h f ear , Coeval w i t h gu i l t ; cr ad l e of m ad n ess W h er ei n m y p ar ad i se bi r t h ed ex i l e, T r easu r e th i s p l ace as th e p h an t om of y ou th W eep s h i s star r y - ey ed l i tan y of bl ood I can n ot f or est al l ; bu t th at w as n ot al l . I w i l l n ot sl an d er th i s l an d an d i ts m em or y. I w i l l n ot betr ay n or f ai l to r ecal l T h ese l aby r i n t h i n e r ow s u p on r ow s of p i n e A n d oak th at f ol l ow th e d ogw ood i n tr ai n W ai ti n g at ten d an t on d am es of th e gr ove W h o vei l th e star s, or n am en ted i n f i r e T h at sp i l l s i n a l i qu i d jet f r om th e p ol es Ref i n i n g al l th i n gs, an d u n con su m ed stay U n f et ter ed f r om A gath ón ?s bi n d i n g son gs W h i ch ch an t al l gen er at i on an d d ecay T i l l n i gh t?s cor t ège obl i t er ates ou r d ay. D o y ou r em em ber th e l i gh ts of th e f ar m ? W h en Pop p a w ou l d d r ess ever y p i n e l i ke star s O n Ch r i stm as Eve, on e gol d en i n f er n o

Gl eam i n g th e p ast u r e, as th ou gh an gel s th er e A ssem bl ed an d ch oi r ed th e Ad ven t, as M i l t on H ad t h em i n i d y l l s of Paradise Lost L i e i n r ep ose by r i ver s of jasp er H ar p i n g th ei r L or d i n f el l ow sh i p an d l ove H ead l ess of L u ci f er ?s p l an n ed d i sast er ? T h ose d ay s h ave p assed , as h e, f r om th e ear t h , T i l l on ly th e m em or y of i n n ocen ce r em ai n s A n d i n f an t joy i m m acu l ate of si n s W h i ch h ol d m y p en i ten t h ear t i n r u i n Fai t h l ess an d br oken . I ceased to bel i eve, I w oke on e m or n i n g an d f ou n d m y sel f sh eath ed Aw ay i n a gar r et , d i v i d ed to th e vei n Fr om al l sen sat i on save l ead en - ey ed p ai n , T h e gh ost of a boy su ccu m bed to d i sease. A n d i n t h i s y ear I gr ow ti r ed of w eep i n g T h e ol d l am en t s an d th e u n ad or n ed n ew Cr i es of gr i ev an ce an d sou l - r i ven h atr ed T h at f ad e i n to con v u l si on s, an d con tr i ve Su p er n al su f f er i n g f r om th e f or ek n ow n Pr u n i n g of br an ch es an d f al l of th e l eaves Ru sset an d gol d en on t o th e r oad si d e Reh ear si n g f or ever th at l ast r etu r n B ey on d a h om ecom i n g w h er e n o m or e i s y ear n ed . T h e M ay f i r e com es. L et u s go w al k i n g, M y m an i f ol d selves, th r ou gh r eal m s of sh ad ow, A n d see w h at w e m ay gl ean am on g th e gl ow O f ad ol escen t h op es an d i n f an t bl i ss T h at ebbed aw ay l i ke bl ood i n to n ot h i n g Fr om w ou n d s n o w ak i n g ey e can d i scer n , an d L ef t u s l oat h som e to ou r selves, sou l - r ot ten A n d m eek w i t h n ostal gi a f or y ear s u n d on e. L et u s t r aver se th e r eal m of th e aby ss L i t by t h e m em or i ed gh osts of th e su n .

A n A sp en Passi o n D i ck A l t m an Northern New M exico M y h an d s h ol d an A sp en ch i l d , by h er l ook s th r ee y ear s ol d , as I bu r y h er n est of r oots i n soi l so cl ay - h ar d en ed , i t takes a h al f d ay ?s d i ggi n g an d p i ck- ax i n g to p r ov i d e a h om e. M y ch i l d stan d s, p er f ect f or h er age, al r ead y at m y h ei gh t , Sh e l ook s p ast Ri o Gr an d e?s val l ey, to th e tw o- m i l e- h i gh m ou n t ai n w al l of th e Jem ez, over w h i ch p ou r w i n d s w h ose ar m s w i l l em br ace h er s, i n d an ces ten d er an d f u r i ou s, to m u si c on ly th e season s k n ow by h ear t . M y ch i l d , h er e at seven th ou san d f eet, th r i ves, n ow th r ee ti m es m y h ei gh t , d esp i t e su n ?s sear i n g k i ss an d r ai n ?s th i n n ow - an d - th en em br ace. M y ch i l d ?s ol d en ou gh to tu r n w i n d ?s sy n cop ati on i n to son gs th r obbi n g of su r f or , to th i s ear , sn ow - m el t ?s r i v u l et s sof t w i t h l au gh ter .

A r tw or k : Gar y K i m

M y ch i l d at f i f t een w al t zes p ast a sp ar e f al l , an even d r i er w i n t er . H er stu r d y f r am e ap p r oach es sp r i n g, bu d d ed w i t h con f i d en ce. Si bl i n gs i m p ati en t to sh ed th ei r n aked n ess. L at e A p r i l an d al l ar ou n d h er cel ebr ate coats of h ear t- sh ap ed f i n er y. M y ch i l d ?s bu d s, w h en p eel ed op en , r em i n d of f i n ely d r aw n em er al d s, gr een w i t h n ascen t l i f e. M ay, an d th ey r ef u se al l th e m agi c I su m m on to u n f u r l th ei r sp l en d or . M y ch i l d sh ou l d in dying m ake m e w eep . I n st ead , as i f m y tear s h ad tu r n ed i n to seed s, m y ch i l d tu r n s m oth er to h al f - d ozen sp r ou t s, h al f as tal l as I am , h al f as tal l i n th ei r f i r st season as th ei r f at h er .

A r tw or k : L i l l i an Ch ow

C r y st al L an e

A h i l l b i l l y el egy

Rad h i k a I y er I f ou n d m y sel f i n th e sam e ol d l an e t h at I gr ew u p i n . T h e sam e ol d p eop l e f r om m y el em en t ar y t o h i gh sch ool d ay s, th e sam e ol d sch ool s m y k i d s go to n ow, sch ool f r i en d s d r op p i n g i n w h en v i si t i n g th ei r f am i l i es, gr abbi n g m e ou t f or a d r i n k or a qu i ck w al k ar ou n d th e p ar k , cal l i n g m e t o t ake t h ei r m om (w h o h as ju st br oken h er l eg...) to th e h osp i t al , or t o d el i ver a casser ol e on on e of t h e d ay s th at sh e i s f i x i n g u p w i t h h er r el ati ves. Gh osts of boy f r i en d s p ast , n ostal gi c, w an t to sp en d ju st on e even i n g, t h i n k i n g bu t n ot al ou d , abou t t h e gl or i ou s d ay s w e?d sh ar ed , an d h ow w e m i gh t h ave en d ed u p t ogeth er i f n ot f or th e l ai r of a r ed - h ai r ed l ass. I go t o al l th e h i gh sch ool r eu n i on s, n o am ou n t of excu ses m ou n t u p , on e f r i en d or an oth er w ou l d en d u p stay i n g w i t h m e an d I w ou l d h ave t o m eet al l th e sam e ol d cl assm at es I m eet th r ou gh th e y ear . M y p ar en t s l i ve a ston e?s th r ow aw ay ; m y l ad s see th em ever y d ay. I t?s t h e sam e ol d su m m er v acat i on

on th e sam e ol d beach ; th e sam e ol d ti m esh ar e on th e sam e w eek s of th e y ear , w h er e ol d gey ser s? u n cl es, au n t s, gr an d m as, gr an d p as, cou si n Robbi e w i th h i s n ew w i f e an d h i s ol d br ood ? sh ow ed u p th i s y ear . O u r k i d s sw i n g on th e sam e ol d ti r es th at w e d i d , ju m p of f th e sam e ol d r i cket y p i er , ou r gol d en r etr i ever sp r i n gs af ter , an d so d oes cou si n M i ke?s bl ack l ab, an d so d oes cou si n Robbi e?s cu r ly p ood l e. T h ey h ead d ow n to M am m a Jen ?s K i tch en N ook f or br eak f ast, th e l on e d i n er ; th e too ol d an d th e l azy eat cer eal an d san d w i ch es f r om th e f r i d ge. I sh al l ow f r y gol d en h ash br ow n s f or m y p ar en t s. I l ook f or w ar d to d oi n g th i n gs w i th th em at l east ever y tw o w eek s ever y su m m er i n th e sam e ol d ti m esh ar e at Cr y stal beach , a f ew h ou r s f r om ou r h om es. Pap a an d M am m a gen tly sw ay i n th ei r r ock i n g ch ai r s, w atch i n g r er u n s of W h eel s of For t u n e on tap e; I si t d ow n by M am m a an d p l ace m y h ead on h er k n ee. Sh e th r ead s h er f i n ger s th r ou gh m y gol d en h ai r .

?Baby, y ou n ever l ef t , u n l i ke Robbi e, M i ke, B el i n d a, or Sk y e. W h y d i d n ?t y ou ?? ?I d u n n o, M am m a. M ay be I l ove y ou gu y s t oo m u ch , besi d es w h o i s goi n g to l ook af t er m y k i d s? O r m ay be y ou n am ed m e af t er a str eet th at I got st u ck .? ?A r e y ou h ap p y h er e, Sw eet h ear t? T h ey say t h e ci t i es... N ew Yor k ! I f y ou ?ve been t o N ew Yor k , y ou d on ?t n eed t o go an y w h er e el se. I t i s th e w or l d , t h ey say. You can v i si t cou si n Robbi e, y ou k n ow ? D o y ou l i ke h i s n ew w i f e? H ow i s sh e?? ?Sh e i s r eal gen t l e, M am m a. Sh e l oves Robbi e?s k i d s; sh e takes car e of th ei r st u f f t oo. Sh e i s a Sou th er n bel l e. I am gl ad Robbi e ch ose w el l t h i s ti m e, M am m a.? ?T h at?s good t o h ear , baby, f or Su e, p oor Su e, God bl ess h er i n H eaven , w ou l d h ave l oved t h i s. A l l sh e w an ted w as? ? M am m a?s voi ce d i sap p ear s. I p at h er l egs, get u p on m y k n ees an d p r ess h er l egs f r om k n ee to t oe, k n ee t o t oe. T h at seem s t o r el ax h er . N o p l ace el se I ?d r at h er be. H om e i s w h er e t h e h ear t i s. W h at can th er e be i n N ew Yor k ? St r eet s, sh op s, sk y scr ap er s, bu t n o l ove, n o l ove. I t

d i d n ?t tu r n ou t al l th at w el l f or Robbi e n ow, d i d i t? Pap a r em oves th e p i p e h e h as been ch ew i n g on . ?H ear , h ear , B on n i e, y ou r si ster h ad a good l i f e. ?T w as ti m e f or h er to go, an d y ou k n ow Robbi e i s f i n e. Sh e can see i t, an d sh e sees i t . M ay be sh e ar r an ged i t f r om u p th er e.? T h at seem s to com f or t M am m a?s h ear t. Pap a r each es ou t h i s l ef t h an d an d M am m a gi ves h er r i gh t. H e p r esses h er p al m an d f i n ger s an d en cl oses h er s i n h i s. T h e ket tl e w h i stl es. ?M am m a, w ou l d y ou l i ke som e r asp ber r y tea or ch am om i l e?? ?Ch am om i l e, Cr y stal w h i sp er ed M am m a.

d ear ,?

?Pap a?? ?Get m e som e cof f ee, w i l l y a?? ?Yes, Pap a.? I scoop som e Fol ger s, d r op i t i n a n ew f i l ter p ap er , an d sti ck i t i n th e p an . I sw i tch on th e cof f ee m aker an d p ou r som e w ater i n t o i t. I t w h i r s, gu r gl es, an d th en star ts to d r i p . I tu r n ar ou n d . T h ey ar e sti l l h ol d i n g h an d s.

A r tw or k : L ou St or ey

W h at H i st o r y M ak es o f U s M ar i e H ar tu n g A n ol d T i bet an say i n g say s t o set f i r e to th e w ood , y ou n eed th e h el p of th e w i n d .

At t h e m ou t h of th e r i ver t h e u n zi p p ed sk y i s sh am ef u l ly m an h an d l ed T h e ocean ti l ts on i t s br oken ax i s.

I t w asn ?t ju st m e w i t h th e m at ch es. Ju st af t er m i d d ay, su n an d l an gu age bu r n a f at f i st th r ou gh d aw n

an d t h e ci tr on of sh ad ow s d r ap e l i ke a cl oak of d eat h f l oat i n g a bou qu et of bl ack tu l i p s

on t h e en d l ess sh u t ter of w aves. W h er e t w o th i n gs m eet, w e w el com e th e f l ap an d p an i c

of m oss- f r u i ted w at er , th e sal t- st ai n ed l i p s of p ossi bl e l oss. I n y ou r l i p s y ou p u r se th e m atch box ti gh t.

I can ?t t el l f r om h er e i f i t ?s em p ty, or f u l l , r egu l at or of m i n d an d m ou th . T h e sm ol d er i n g u p r i ver d esi ccat es

san d u n d er ou r k n ees. You d r op t h e m atch box an d a bon ey w ave gr abs i t , r en d er s i t u sel ess.

T h e p r essed sk y l ook s aw ay, ash am ed . I bu r n th e w ood an d d r ai n th e r i ver . W h o k n ow s w h at cl ou d s sw al l ow ed y ou ?

W h en t h e w i n d f i n al ly sash es al on g i t bl ow s m y h ai r to sm i th er een s. N ot h i n g h er e ch an ges? u n or i gi n al d i m m i n g

cast s t ow ar d w h at I h ave n ot seen an d w on ?t sti l l . I n th e bl en d ed cu r r en t of f or gett i n g, th e m em or y i s a tr esp ass.

N ew al d er s sp r ou t l i ke star s al on g t h e ban k s i n th e m u te d ar k . T h e r egr et tabl e sk y ch okes tear s, k n ow i n g w h at?s com i n g.

A r tw or k : Ch r i sti an M cCu l l och ("W A RT ")

D ef i an ce o f Gr av i t y Gabr i el M cL eod Fi r st h u r r i can e of th e season i s cr aw l i n g tow ar d s th e i sl an d s an d t h e Gu l f of M ex i co i s on f i r e, ch u r n i n g w h i r l p ool s of oi l an d sal t as w e f ly w h i t e k n u ck l ed i n to th e w h i te cl ou d s of t h e st or m con su m i n g u s. T h e p l an e i s sm al l an d th e tu r bu l en ce r ou gh an d I d o n ot f i t i n th i s seat . H ai l h i t s th e r oof an d th e ai r cr af t ti l ts an d d r op s st om ach s l i f t i n th e D ef i an ce of Gr av i ty, Som eon e scr eam s, a ch i l d cr i es. Vel oci ty i s ou r on ly Salvati on . T h e w i n d ow s ar e an ar t i st?s bl an k can v as, a w r i t er ?s em p ty p age. W e ar e al l ch ar act er s aboar d l u r ch i n g i n t o n ew n ar r ati ves, i n to n ew d esti n ati on s, i n t o n ew stor i es of ou r ow n . W e ar e al l d i f f er en t bu t w i t h on e si n gl e com m on al i ty w e h ave to keep on m ov i n g so w e d on ?t f al l . A l l of u s h er e an d th er e an d ever y w h er e. M y d au gh ter sl eep s on m y sh ou l d er as w e p ass th r ou gh an oth er stor m i n t o an oth er cor n er of N ow. Ever m ov i n g i n to th e n ex t m om en t . I am w h er e m y m i n d of t en i s, Cl ou d bou n d , p r ay er f u l an d cr eati n g. M y f i r st T h u n d er h as been h ear d , soon m y L i gh t en i n g w i l l be seen .

A r tw or k : Sh ar on M atu si ak

t o t h e scar s v i si b l e an d u n d er n eat h Rach el Bai l a som e scar s ar e w or t h sav i n g, cr eat i n g even . p r ett i er l ef t op en , u n ad u l t er at ed , bef or e th e stor y bu r i es i tsel f u n d er ex p osed p i eces of f l esh y f abr i c. a p i n k , ju i cy w or m sew n w i t h i t s ow n sti t ch es acr oss t h e i n n er ar m . sh e i s n ot th e h an d s, th e l egs, t h e br easts, th e scar s acr oss h er stom ach . to heal or not to heal? (i sn ?t r eal ly t h e qu est i on .) an ever y d ay r ef l ecti on i s p l ated al u m i n u m v an i ty. sh e i s n ot t h e h an d s, th e l egs, t h e br east s, th e scar s acr oss h er stom ach . sh e l ean s f or w ar d , bel ly sl i t h er i n g over th e cou n ter top l i ke a sn ake, catch i n g oi l an d d u st , ey es l i ke a d ar k f or est . a sol i tar y am ber d r op sp i l l ed ou t si d e t h e i r i s, d ar k f l eck s cr och eted i n t o w h i sk y. d ecad es of k n ow i n g, bu t n ever seei n g ou t si d e t h e w al l s of r ef l ecti on . sh e i s n ot th e h an d s, t h e l egs, th e br east s, t h e scar s acr oss h er st om ach . w hat is buried beneath?

(i s r eal ly t h e qu esti on .) i d ea p i l es sew n i n ci r cl es, f r i n ge w oven i n to y ear s bef or e? em bed d ed , i n v i si bl e. everything that won?t be seen, everything that won?t be undone, everything that won?t be forgotten, everything that won?t be untold. (i s r eal ly th e m i r r or .)

A r tw or k : Yvon n e Rojas- Cow an

W o o d Fr o g Gi l l i an H er r i n Si lver gi l d ed d eath can n ot con tai n y ou ? Fr og, N or su f f ocate y ou r L ast i n g br eat h . T h e key t o w i n t er ?s l ock , h i d d en d eep w i t h i n y ou , A m on g p i t t ed br on ch i ol es ? Gl ass su gar s H ar d en W i t h t h e f ol i age. T h i s ch i l l assu m es to Jai l y ou w i t h ou t tr i al , A n ar r ogan ce w h i ch i gn or es You r sl ow i n g h ear t Beat i n g Beat i n g. A sh ad ow sou n d of sp r i n g w at er s gr een ? Rebel l i ou s, p ati en t, T h e i ce betw een Cel l s sl i p s aw ay, Rever sed . I n sp r i n g h eat You d evou r t h e su n w h ol e to bl each y ou r bel ly an d Set t l e w ak i n g l i m bs. L i ke a r eed l i m bed m an t i s ? You r ven t r i cl e l egs f i n d p u r ch ase Fi r st . T h en y ou r h ear t , sti l l n u m b w i t h sl eep U n h ook s t h e bl ood f r om i t s T i gh t cage of vei n s. T h e l eaves above y ou scat t er A n ew sor t of l i gh t Fl u t ter i n g l i ke f l i es f or con su m p t i on , For t h e t i gh t en i n g of m u scl e am on g tw i g bon es, For t h e bl acken i n g of th e ey e W h en al l t h e w or l d gazes Sn ow f l akes m ad e d ew.

A r tw or k : Kevan Josep h O 'Con n or

A r tw or k : Sar ah Ven acci o

T h e Fi r st B r assi er e Pen n y Jack son Fi r st p u bl i sh ed i n T he H awaii Pacific Review, A p r i l 20 21 T h e r eason w h y m y m oth er h ad to bu y m e a br a w as becau se of a l etter f r om ou r sch ool ?s h ead m ast er t o t h e p ar en ts of th e 7th gr ad e gi r l s. I t w as n ot ed th at m an y gi r l s w h o w er e ?m at u r i n g? w er e n ot w ear i n g th e p r op er u n d er gar m en t s. Teach er s w ou l d n ow r ou t i n ely ch eck each gi r l w h o cam e t o t h e sch ool by tr aci n g a f i n ger d ow n t h ei r back s. I f th e n ecessar y ?i t em ? w er e n ot w or n , th e gi r l cou l d be sen t h om e. M y m ot h er w as m or t i f i ed . I w as ju st con f u sed . T h ey d i d n ?t ch eck i f boy s w er e w ear i n g u n d er w ear . I d i d n ?t w an t a br a. I l i ked m y w h i t e u n d er sh i r t s. M y br easts w er e an n oy i n g bu d s t h at h u r t m e w h en I sl ep t on m y st om ach . T h e gi r l s w h o w or e br as an d h ad bi g br easts w er e t eased m er ci l essly by th e boy s. I ju st w an t ed to be l ef t al on e. T h at N ovem ber m y m oth er took m e t o Sak s Fi f th Aven u e. T h e d oor m an h ad w i n ked at m e w h en w e h ad en t er ed th e stor e as i f h e k n ew of ou r m i ssi on . I h i d m y f ace ben eat h m y w ool scar f , ter r i f i ed of r u n n i n g i n t o an y on e I k n ew. T h e l i n ger i e d ep ar tm en t w as on th e t op f l oor , escal ator af t er escal at or , as i f y ou w er e ascen d i n g

to th e top of a castl e. A sal esw om an w h o w or e l i p sti ck th e col or of d r i ed bl ood an d h ad h ai r th at l ooked l i ke a sh el l acked h el m et ap p r oach ed u s beh i n d a d i sp l ay of r ai n bow str i p ed sock s. ?W e d on ?t w an t an y tr ai n i n g br assi er es,? m y m oth er an n ou n ced , w h i ch r em i n d ed m e of th e tr ai n i n g w h eel s on m y ol d bi ke w h i ch w er e too bi g an d on ce r an over m y br oth er ?s r i gh t i n d ex f i n ger . T h e sal esl ad y squ i n t ed h er ey es at m e ? h er p i er ci n g star e d i r ected at m y ch est l i ke an ar r ow. ?D ef i n i t ely n ot tr ai n i n g,? sh e sai d . Sh e cou l d h ave been f or ty or ei gh ty ? i t w as h ar d to tel l becau se sh e w as w ear i n g so m u ch bei ge f ou n d ati on on h er f ace. ?Pl ease w ai t f or m e i n th e d r essi n g r oom on th e l ef t,? sh e i n st r u ct ed , w av i n g a h an d to a cor n er of th e f l oor . ?I h at e i t h er e,? I tol d m y m oth er w h o h u sh ed m e as w e f ou n d a d r essi n g r oom f i l l ed w i th too br i gh t l i gh ts an d sh i n y m i r r or s. T h er e w as on e p i n on th e f l oor th at som eon e h ad f or gotten to p i ck u p . I t l ooked d an ger ou s. I h ad a w i l d f an tasy of sti ck i n g th e sal esl ad y w i t h th e p i n an d w atch i n g h er m ou th op en i n sh ock .

?Pl ease,? m y m ot h er p l ead ed . ?A f ter w ar d s w e can h ave i ce cr eam at Ser en d i p i t y ?s.? Bu t I d i d n ?t w an t i ce cr eam . I w an ted t o be back i n m y r oom w i th m y N ar n i a book s. A l t h ou gh I k n ew I w as t oo ol d to sti l l be r ead i n g t h at f an t asy ser i es, I w as alw ay s com f or t ed k n ow i n g th er e cou l d be an oth er k i n gd om w h er e I cou l d escap e. T h e sal esl ad y r et u r n ed w i t h a h eap of br as i n h er ar m s. I w i n ced as sh e h u n g each on e on a h ook . T h ese br as cou l d h ave been tw i st ed h an ger s. I cr aved l ace, f l ow er s, an y th i n g p r et t y. ?L et m e ju st ch eck h er si ze,? sh e sai d an d su d d en ly gr abbed m y r i gh t br east, w ei gh i n g i t i n th e p ow d er y cr eases of h er h an d as i f t est i n g a gr ap ef r u i t. ?Yes,? sh e n od d ed . ?I th i n k th i s i s t h e r i gh t si ze ? D ou bl e B.? H ow cou l d I be a d ou bl e an y th i n g? T h e sal esl ad y i n st r u cted m e to ben d to m y w ai st, m y br east s h an gi n g l i ke h al f i n f l at ed bal l oon s. T h e br a i t ch ed m e t h e sam e w ay as t h e bl ack w ool t i gh t s I w or e to sch ool . W h at I saw i n th e m i r r or : t w o Sty r of oam con es. H er f i n ger s p u sh ed an d p u l l ed t h e br a w i t h m ar oon p ai n t ed cl aw - l i ke n ai l s. I u n h ooked t h e con t r ap t i on , th r ew i t on th e f l oor , an d h u gged m y ol d u n d er sh i r t . ?L eave m e al on e,? I sh ou ted as t h e d r essi n g r oom cu r tai n s seem ed t o sh i ver .

?I ?m sor r y,? m y m oth er sai d to th e sal esl ad y, w h i ch i n f u r i ated m e, si n ce I w an ted m y m oth er to be ap ol ogi zi n g to me f or th i s h u m i l i at i on . T h at w as m y cu e. I gr abbed m y sw eater , m y coat, an d r an ou t of th e d r essi n g r oom . T h e escal at or w as on ly si x f eet aw ay. I r an d ow n t h e step s. W om en w i th sh op p i n g bags m ad e an n oy i n g n oi ses bu t sti l l step p ed asi d e. T h e su n on Fi f th Aven u e bl i n d ed m e an d I w asn ?t su r e w h i ch w ay w as h om e. For al l I k n ew, m y m oth er cou l d sti l l be l ook i n g f or th e r i gh t br a. I f th i s m ean t becom i n g a w om an , I d i d n ?t w an t an y t h i n g to do w ith it. I f el t a h an d on m y r i gh t sh ou l d er . I tu r n ed ar ou n d an d th er e w as m y m oth er . Sh e m u st h ave been r u n n i n g to f i n d m e becau se sh e gu l p ed a f ew ti m es to catch h er br eat h . ?D on ?t w or r y abou t i t, d ar l i n g,? sh e sai d . ?W e cou l d sti l l get i ce cr eam at Ser en d i p i ty ?s.? L at er th at d ay m y m oth er cal l ed th e h ead m aster an d sai d th at m al e teach er s ch eck i n g th e f em al e stu d en t s? back s f or br assi er es w as i l l egal . Teen age gi r l s?br assi er es h ad n ot h i n g to d o w i th ed u cati on . I f h e d i d n ?t cease w i th th i s n on sen se, sh e w ou l d con tact a l aw y er . M y n ew f r i en d Pau l i n e took m e to a bou t i qu e on Col u m bu s Aven u e ow n ed by h er au n t f r om Par i s. A l l th e br as w er e so beau ti f u l ? al m ost

l i ke su gar - sp u n con f ecti on s. T h ey w er e ver y ex p en si ve too, bu t m y m ot h er h ad gi ven me a h u n d r ed - d ol l ar bi l l . Pau l i n e?s Au n t , a t al l sk i n n y w om an w h o w or e t i gh t jean s an d Fr y e boot s, en cou r aged m e to bu y a r ed br a. A br a t h at w as t h e sam e col or as a Val en t i n e h ear t s box of can d y. I d i d n ?t sh ow m y m oth er th e br a w h en I cam e h om e bu t sh e cou l d tel l by l ook i n g at m y ch est th at

som eth i n g h ad ch an ged . A n d som eth i n g el se h ad ch an ged too. Josh H el l er , a boy w h o h ad i gn or ed m e al l y ear , asked m e i f I w ou l d stu d y f or ou r En gl i sh cl ass i n th e l i br ar y. T h er e i n th e stack s, by th e en cy cl op ed i as, h e k i ssed m e. I p u sh ed h i s h an d aw ay f r om m y ch est ? h e d i d n ?t ear n th at r i gh t y et. Bu t I k n ew I w asn ?t i n N ar n i a an y m or e.

A r tw or k : Em i ly Sal i sbu r y

L o si n g O u r L an gu age Sar a Bi el I w an t to say som et h i n g, I m ean d o som eth i n g. Pu l l h er back i n , t h e w ay th e sou n d of a bel l cal l s ch i l d r en f r om a sch ooly ar d or w h i t e cot ton tw i n e w r ap s i n to a bal l , d r ags a k i t e back th r ou gh ed gy w i n d . Sh e tel l s m e t h er e i s som et h i n g, sh e m ean s w as som eth i n g. N ow i t h i d es l i ke a p ear l i n si d e a p r ay er , th e tr u e n eed u n n am ed a l ef tover w i sh , l oose an d f ly i n g, com p u l si vely tu cked beh i n d m y ear s as I r u n f or th e w h eezi n g m or n i n g bu s. I t r y to r em em ber som et h i n g, n o to actu al ly ch oose som eth i n g. To h ol d l i ke a br eat h or th e beam of l i gh t f r om a h al f - cl osed d oor , a f or gotten br i gh tn ess so i n v i t i n g sh ad ow s sh ake th em selves an d su l k i n th e cor n er s t o w ash l i ke cats. Sh e w an ts t o ex p l ai n som et h i n g or m ay be ju st tou ch som eth i n g. T h e w ay t em p or ar y l an gu age si n gs i n th e w i r es str etch ed betw een ou r caver n ou s h ear ts t h e w ay ou r gr eet i n gs ar e f l ocked i n m i ssi n g an d d ecor ated w i th a w ear y cr i n ge. I n eed to br eak som et h i n g bu t I m ean f i n d som eth i n g. L ook str ai gh t d ow n t h e l on g h al lw ay p ast ever y r an d om cr u el ty an d be sooth ed by t h e w ay t i m e can sw ay l i ke a kel p f or est, w h en w e n oti ce on ly t h e gol d en f l eck s f l oat i n g

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A r tw or k : H ar t Br ou d y

TheChild The following works are the winners of our 250-word creative writing challenge!

A r tw or k : K r i s K i n g

C h o co l at e Fi n ger s Yvon n e Br ew er Ch i l d of t h e w i l d r an th r ou gh f i el d s an d h i l l s t u m bl i n g p ast d an d el i on s, d ai si es an d h aw t h or n on e Su m m er ?s d ay u n t i l sh e r each ed th e ban k s of th e L i t t l e B r osn a Ri ver , to th at sp ot sh e f el t sh e ow n ed . W i t h t h e jar of h azel n u t ch ocol at e sp r ead h er br ot h er h ad been i n st r u cted to take f r om th e f r i d ge, t h ey sat , l egs sw i n gi n g on th e cr eak y w ood en br i d ge. Star i n g i n t o t h e gr een w at er w at ch i n g sw an s, m oor h en s or sti ck s f l oat by. Car ef r ee, l i ck i n g t h ei r ch ocol ate f i n ger s. Bu sy bees i n t h ei r ow n l i t tl e h i ve. N o t h ou gh t s or w or r i es of w ash i n g h an d s or w at ch i n g th e ti m e. A voi ce i n n at u r e ech oi n g as th e n ear by M on ast er y bel l s ch i m e, I t i s h ow w e k n ow w e ar e al i ve.

Pal ace W o o d A n t oi n ett e Ken n ed y Av a, an on ly ch i l d , v i si t s m y h om e, bu t n ot to eat sw eet s or h el p com p l ete a ji gsaw p u zzl e, bu t to sp en d ti m e w i t h m y n est i n g babu sh k a on th e sh el f . Av a tr aces th e f i gu r e?s f l ow er s, tw i sts th e base, f i n d s a d ol l i n si d e a d ol l i n si d e a d ol l u n t i l th ey su r r ou n d h er . Toget h er , d o th e gi r l s l eap p al ace stai r s or w al k to a m ar ket to bu y w ar m br ead ? Per h ap s th ey r u n by th e M osk va, tu ggi n g a d r agon k i te, i t s f i er y w i n gs sp r ead . Su ch secr ets bel on g to h er , bu t I w on d er i f Av a f i n d s w i t h i n th e gol d en w ood a n ew f am i ly, w i th si ster s m u l ti p l i ed .

I n a Gi an t 's W o r l d Tam ar a K r eu tz Ever y t h i n g I tou ch , sn at ch ed aw ay by gi an t h an d s. Pen s, gl asses, l ap t op s, p h on es? r ep l aced w i t h w h at I ?ll h u r l t o sh ow t h em al l m y i n d i gn at i on ? y ou t h i n k a l i tt l e Pl ay D oh sh ou l d cal m m e d ow n ? H an d s t h at scoop m e f r om w h er e I w i sh to be. H an d s t h at st r ap m e i n to on e con t r ap ti on or an ot h er , m ov i n g m e f r om h i gh ch ai r to car seat . Car seat t o bou n cer . B ou n cer to str ol l er . Pu sh ed an d car r i ed w h er ever th ey w i sh . W h er e I w i sh to go

up! is

N - no. No! A l l d ay l on g w or r y ch ases m e w h en ever I su m m i t t h e t abl e or cou n t er or book sh el f , l egs scr am bl i n g t o v i ct or y i n ascen t, d an ci n g u p h i gh , ji ggl i n g, t h e w or l d st r et ch ed bel ow m e, n o f u r n i t u r e bl ock i n g m y v i ew.

M y m oth er pulls me d ow n . Gr ow l s an d gr oan s, begs m e to st op . You?ll get hurt. sh e say s, You?ll break something. I sh r i ek f r u st r ati on , scr at ch h er k n ee f or h er h an d s to lif t m e Up. w h er e I gr ab h er n ose, cl aw h er m ou th , sn at ch gl asses. H er h an d s p r y. M y sti ck y f i n ger s gr i p f r am es. Sh e sl i d es h er f i n ger i n si d e m y f i st? bu t I jer k m y ar m s aw ay, r ai se gl asses u p , p r ess th em on m y f ace an d see th e w or l d t h r ou gh gi an t s?ey es.

A r tw or k : A n d r ea Jon es

A r tw or k : Step h an i e M i ch el e

Cu tti n g i t f i n e D er v i l l e Q u i gl ey

M y d au gh t er ?s h ai r i s f al l i n g over h er ey es. En ou gh f or a m an on t h e f er r y t o n ot i ce. H e tel l s m e h ow beau t i f u l sh e i s, h ow l u ck y I am . A sk s i f sh e can see. I l au gh . H e?s n ot jok i n g. T h e ter m i n al cl ock cou n t s d ow n . T h e jou r n ey i s sh or t acr oss th e Ri ver I j. Bl i n k , an d y ou ?r e on th e ot h er si d e.

gi r l ?s h ai r .

?I can cu t i t i f y ou l i ke??

Su d d en ly, an al ar m star ts to scr eech . W ar n i n g p eop l e to stan d back f r om th e cl osi n g r am p . W e?r e abou t to set of f . T h e m an m akes u se of ever y p r eci ou s secon d .

H e t el l s m e h e?s or i gi n al ly f r om Sy r i a, n ot w or k i n g n ow, bu t cu ts h ai r . ?Can I ?? H e h as a k i n d f ace an d sof t ey es. I d on ?t w an t u s to be m ov i n g w h en t h i s h ap p en s. M y d au gh ter i s sat on t h e back of m y bi ke. Sh e d oesn ?t l i ke t o be str ap p ed i n . T h e m an op en s h i s r u ck sack , u n r ol l s a cl ot h p ou ch con t ai n i n g a sci ssor s an d t w o com bs. H e seem s h ap p y. I ?m h ap p y too. T h e ot h er p assen ger s cr ad l e th ei r u n ease, as h e r u n s h i s f i n ger s th r ou gh th e

?I t ?s ok ay ?, I say. H e begi n s com bi n g, takes th e sci ssor s an d star ts cu tt i n g. H e gath er s an d cu ts, gath er s, an d cu t s. Cu r l s tu m bl e si l en tly to th e f l oor .

?Pu t al l y ou r w or r i es i n y ou r h ai r .? H e cl i p s an d sn i p s, cu ts, an d al i gn s. H i s ey es w el l as w e sh u d d er i n r ever se. Bu t th i s f eel i n g soon tu r n s to p r i d e, w h en h e d u sts of f h er sh ou l d er s, an d ?beep s?h er bu tton n ose. ?Sh e?s d on e.?

A r tw or k : Stu ar t Baker H aw k

D eser t C h i l d Ri l ey M ay es Su m m er p r essed i t s p al m s d ow n on t h e ear t h l i ke a m ot h er ?s h an d cl am p i n g th e cu ss f r om a ch i l d ?s m ou t h . T h e d oor s h ave al l sw ol l en sh u t l eav i n g m e on th e car p et f l oor , bar ef oot i n boy ?s sh or ts sp r aw l ed on m y bel ly, p ai n t i n g m y n ai l s i n th e d ar k . Sm u d ges of si d ew al k ch al k bu r n w h i t e on th e asp h al t. Ever y on e i s tu cked i n si d e an d m oan i n g, col d cl ot h s cl u t ch ed to th ei r f or eh ead s. O n d ay s l i ke th i s, I t r y t o r em em ber th at I am a ch i l d of th e d eser t : an i m al bon es sm ooth ed i n th e r ed san d an d n ect ar bl eed i n g th r ou gh p r i ck l ed p l an ts. I squ i n t i n to th e cl ou d l ess sk y as i f t o squ eeze th e sal t ed soi l s an d bl ood m oon s f r om m y m em or y Bu t I h ave been r ai sed by r ock s an d cl i f f s an d ocean ti d es, sw eet br eezes th at w af t m osqu i tos an d br eak th e h eat l i ke a w om an ?s w ater . I n t h e en d th i s i s al l I w i l l r em em ber : t h e r ock s, th e cl i f f s, th e ti d es, an d a scr ap e of l an d scap e th at d oesn ?t bel on g to m e.

W h en Su san D am br of f w h en l ook i n g at m y t oes w as p l en ty w h en an y th i n g w et cou l d becom e a sou p w h en I cou l d f al l asl eep to th e f am i l i ar r h y m es of M ad el i n e over an d over i n t w o st r ai gh t l i n es th ey br oke th ei r br ead br u sh ed th ei r teeth an d w en t t o bed an d w ake to th e su d d en bi r th of a bow l f u l l of gu p p i es w h en t h er e w as w on d er i n th e sl i ck p ages of m oth er goose w h en su m m er w as en d l ess an d I ju m p ed i n to th e N ew En gl an d sk y w h en I k n ew ever y sp ot of a m i ca m ou n tai n sai d f ar ew el l to th e l ake w h en th er e w as n o w at ch on m y h an d n o ti m e of th e m on t h n o p l ace too f ar t o r u n t o h i d e to sl i p i n si d e w h en I w asn ?t cou n t i n g an d th e season s w er e col or s h ot ch ocol ate l em on ad e good h u m or tr u ck s i ce sk ates m i tt en s m osqu i t o bi tes f i r ef l i es l i l acs p u m p k i n s an d ju m p i n g i n to th e cr ack l i n g l eaves

A r tw or k : Geor ge St ei n

w h en I w an ted to save ever y th i n g l i ke th e l ast d ay of seven th gr ad e w al k i n g d ow n th e h al lw ay say i n g th i s i s th e l ast d ay I w i l l ever w al k to seven t h gr ad e sci en ce cl ass f or th e r est of m y l i f e w h en I r an h om e f r om sch ool af r ai d m y m oth er m i gh t be su d d en ly d ead w h en I w as br u sh i n g m y teeth bef or e goi n g to th e d en ti st say i n g I w i l l alw ay s r em em ber t h i s w h en th er e w as a cl ock i n si d e m y h ead ti ck i n g w h en t h er e w er e k i d n ap p er s ou t si d e th e w i n d ow w h en f r eed om w as m y bi cy cl e w as bei n g cau gh t f ar f r om h om e i n th e w i l d tor r en t s of a su m m er r ai n

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A r tw or k : N i col e Van D y ken

Fav o r i t e Fav o r i t e Sar a K . San d er s I p u t m y h an d on m y ch est Sw eet gi r l , I l ove y ou w i t h m y w h ol e h ear t ! H er f ace al i gh t sh e th r ow s h er ar m s op en w i d e M am a, I l ove y ou w i t h m y w h ol e p l an et ! A qu i ck i n take of br eath m y l i p s sl am toget h er t o keep th e sou n d i n m y th r oat f r om escap i n g, m y ey es bl u r r i n g. Sh e beam s su ch br i l l i an t , p er f ect l i gh t , h er p u r i ty a beacon i n to m y r i bs. H er w h ol e p l an et . A l l I of f er ed h er w as m y h ear t ? H ow tr i te. I t i s n ot a com p ar i son f or t h e tr u t h i s I am h er w or l d an d i n f act, sh e i s m i n e. H er bl u e ey es an d p u d gy h an d s r em i n d m e t h at sh e i s al so m y M oon an d St ar s m y Ju p i ter an d Sat u r n m y Bu r n i n g Su n m y B l azi n g Com et.

You ?r e a l u ck y m am a, sh e say s. Yes, I am , I say. A n d m am as l ooooooooove th ei r babi es, sh e say s. Yes, w e d o, I say. T h ose ar m s w r ap ar ou n d m y n eck h er sof t str aw ber r y h ai r agai n st m y ch eek sh e l au gh s (becau se tod d l er s l au gh 30 0 ti m es a d ay ) O h , M am a, I ju st l ove y ou , sh e coos. A p l an et f al l s i n m y l ap an d I f eel th e w ei gh t of th e w or l d i n su ch a n ew w ay th at th en th e tear s r eal ly com e. M y p r eci ou s gi r l . M y l i tt l e or bi t i n g u n i ver se.

H ow d i d y ou k n ow I n eed ed to h u g a p l an et tod ay ? O h , M am a, y ou ?r e so si l ly, sh e gi ggl es. I ?m y ou r f avor i te f avor i te! For ever an d ever , I say. For ever an d ever .

A r t w or k : Kel ly Sar gen t

T h e B oy o n t h e Ro ad L i n d sey Sol i d ay T h e boy i s l ost. H e can sen se th i s even th ou gh t h e gr ow n - u p s ar ou n d h i m m ove st ead i ly f or w ar d l i ke r obots. H e d oesn ?t k n ow th e r ou gh t er r ai n or t h e h i gh m ou n tai n s ar ou n d h i m . T h ey ar e n ot h i n g l i ke h i s v i l l age. H e can n ot th i n k of i t as h om e an y m or e; t h e bad m en h ave t aken i t.

can . Fath er h as th ei r f ood . M ot h er h as th ei r cl oth es. T h e boy h as w h at ever th ey can ?t f i t i n th ei r bags. T h i s i s al l th ey h ave l ef t, th e r em n an ts of th ei r l i ves bu n d l ed i n to th r ee tr avel - w or n p ack s. Ever y t h i n g el se, th ei r tr i n kets an d bobbl es an d toy s, ar e al l bu r n i n g som ew h er e beh i n d th em .

T h er e w i l l be a n ew h om e, M oth er p r om i ses. A st eel ci t y on th e ot h er si d e of t h e ocean . T h e boy h as n ever seen t al l bu i l d i n gs or th e sea, an d h e i s af r ai d .

T h ey al l tr u d ge on l i ke p h an tom s, p r et en d i n g to k n ow w h er e th ey ?r e goi n g. T h e boy on ly h op es f or a saf e p l ace to r est an d d r i ve th e sti f f n ess f r om h i s l i m bs. H e keep s goi n g, on e f oot i n f r on t of th e ot h er , on th e l on ely l ost r oad . Far aw ay f r om th e cr u m bl i n g ci n d er s of h i s st ol en h om e, f ol l ow i n g d r eam s of a steel ci t y on th e oth er si d e of th e ocean .

H e d oesn ?t k n ow h ow m u ch f ar t h er t h ey h ave t o go, ju st th at i t i s sti l l f ar aw ay. H i s f eet ach e, th e bl i ster s r u bbed r aw as h i s sh oes f al l ap ar t. M oth er h as sew n t h em as best sh e cou l d w i t h t h e r em ai n s of h er t h r ead . T h ey each car r y w h at th ey

A r tw or k : Ram on a Gal ar d i

WRITERS Samuel Armen was adopted from Gyumri, Armenia, raised by an Armenian-American family in New York, earned his BA in English Literature from St. John’s University, and completed his MA in Adolescent Education at Hunter College. He currently teaches and manages education programs in Brooklyn and across rural Armenia. His debut poem ‘Intercom’ was shortlisted for The Raw Art Review’s The Charles Bukowski Prize for Poetry and was published in their Winter 2020 edition along with his poems Rooftop Junkie and Waiter; while his poem Decimation was published in The Showbear Family Circus (Aug. 2020), his poem 1915 Rewound was published in Issue 7 of Dreamers Creative Writing (Nov. 2020), and his poem Aleppo, Massachusetts was published in Prometheus Dreaming (October 2021). Adriana Stimola is a non-fiction literary agent, mother and ever-aspiring poet. Her poetry has most recently been published in The Santa Clara Review, Juke Joint and High Shelf Press. Sarah Davis is a tenured professor at St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She did her undergraduate work in philosophy and anthropology at Harvard University and received her Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from Emory University. Jonathan Cant is a writer and poet with a broad range of interests. His short stories have appeared in publications as diverse as Playboy to Australia’s leading flyfishing magazine: FlyLife. He lives in Sydney, Australia. Blake Nox Gama had a passion for telling stories ever since he was a child writing ideas on his notebook. As he grew up, he continued to be an assiduous devourer of narratives, being especially drawn to fantastical and mythological stories which challenged ideas about identity, morality, norms and destiny. Blake was the editor for Phoenix Magazine, Cypress Dome and Florida Review, and had his work published on Phoenix Magazine. Benjamin Rose is a poet born and raised in the D.C. area. His work has appeared in The Dillydoun Review, The Button Eye Review, Beyond Words Literary Magazine, Cathexis Northwest Press, and Last Resort Literary Review. He studies creative writing, Arabic, and Islamic civilization at The Catholic University of America. Dick Altman writes in the high, thin, magical air of Santa Fe, NM, where, at 7,000 feet, reality and imagination often blur. He is published in Santa Fe Literary Review, American Journal of Poetry, riverSedge, Fredericksburg Literary Review, Foliate Oak, Blue Line, THE Magazine, Humana obscura, Tatterhood Review, The Offbeat, Haunted Waters Press, Split Rock Review, The RavensPerch, Beyond Words, Sky Island Journal and others here and abroad. He is a poetry winner of Santa Fe New Mexican’s annual literary competition. He has in progress two collections of published poetry, Voices in the Heart of Stones and Telling the Broken Sky. Originally from the south of India, Radhika Iyer has been homing in Detroit, Michigan for the last 20 years. After her long stint as a software professional, she now reads, writes, gardens, and spends time with her family of seven which includes two adorable furry-

whites. Her work can be found at the Poetry Society of Michigan, East By Northeast Literary Magazine, and India Currents Magazine. Marie Hartung is a Pacific Northwest published poet and memorist who loves NY-style pizza the best. She's working on finding a home for her full-length memoir about finding out as an adult she was adopted and is in her third year judging books for the National Bisexual Book Awards. Gabriel McLeod currently resides within the United States alongside his two beautiful daughters in a home made of stories. He is currently working on a collection of poems, photography and paintings for publication. His work has been featured in Storyteller Magazine, The Elephant Journal and Beyond Words. Rachel Baila is a travel writer, poet, and editor who splits her time between Tennessee and California. She has been published in numerous print and online publications, and has just completed her first full-length poetry manuscript, Letters to Nowhere. Rachel also works with other creatives to help them unblock their artistic flow and is the editor of the forthcoming literary mag, Fauxmoir. Gillian Herrin has a BA from the University of Iowa and can often be found traveling the globe. Her writing tends to focus on family, communication, and the surrealism that manifests when those spheres collide. She is a winner of the Iowa Chapbook Prize (2019) and has been published in Iowa’s Emerging Writers (2018). Penny Jackson is a novelist, playwright and screenwriter who lives in New York City. Her novel, Becoming The Butlers, is published by Bantam Books and her collection of short stories is published by Untreed Reads. Writing awards include a MacDowell Fellowship and a Pushcart Prize. Follow her on the website pennybrandtjackson.com. Sara Biel uses she/her pronouns. She is a poet, visual artist and social worker living in Oakland, CA. Sara is co-editor of the Colossus anthology series. Colossus's next anthology Colossus: Freedom explores the impact of incarceration on individuals and families. She has had poems published in sparkle and blink; as well as in anthologies “Our Spirits Cary our Voices” and 'Words Upon the Waters”. She is interested in creative process as a medium for change, healing and building community. Originally from Offaly, Ireland and now living in Cork, Ireland Yvonne Brewer has had poetry published since 2014 with Women's Spiritual Poetry, including in two of their poetry anthologies in 2015 and 2017. Yvonne has had poetry published with The Blue Nib, Witch Magazine and Momaya Press and recently had a poem selected with Poetry in the Park organised by Cork City Libraries. Her first poetry pamphlet “Twigs” was released in 2018. www.yvonneswords.wordpress.com Antoinette Kennedy, author of Far from Home, is a former teacher living in Hillsboro, Oregon. She earned a BA in literature from Marylhurst College and an MA in Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure University. A recipient of an Oregon Literary Arts and Fishtrap fellowship, her poetry has appeared in online and print publications, such as Passager, Wingless Dreamer, Snapdragon: A Journal of Art and Healing, Ariel, and won first place in the 2021 Joan Ramseyer Memorial Poetry Contest.

Tamara Kreutz is a middle and high school English Language Arts teacher who has worked at international schools throughout Latin America. She is currently on hiatus and is taking time at home to care for her toddler son and to invest in writing. She has been featured in Rattle's "Poet's Respond" section, has been published in The Barbaric Yawp Literary Review, and has an upcoming piece for publication in the Scapegoat Review. Visit her on Instagram: @tamara_kreutz Derville Quigley is an Irish writer living in Amsterdam, Netherlands. She graduated with an MA in Screen Arts from SHU, works for a European network of art schools and is cofounder of Strange Birds, a migratory writing collective. Her stories may embarrass her two children when they’re older. @dervq Riley Mayes is a full-time student and worker living in Portland, Maine. When she is not working through the heaps of books on her bedside table, you’ll find her out in the woods or exploring tidepools. She has enjoyed humble publications of her work in several print and online publications. Susan Dambroff is a poet, performer, and teacher. She has published three compilations of poetry. “Memory in Bone”, “Conversations with Trees”, and her latest chapbook, “A Chair Keeps the Floor Down”(Finishing Line Press) which dives deeply into her long career as a Special Education teacher. She has been published in many literary journals and anthologies, including Civil Liberties United, Ghosts of the Holocaust, Stoneboat and Essential Truths: The Bay Area in Color and Trauma. She performs throughout the Bay Area in Spoken Duets, a poetic collaboration with Chris Kammler. In the spirit of activism they give voice to the massive injustices of the world. Marcella Peralta Simon is a retired Latinx grandmother, splitting her time between Cambridge, UK and Kissimmee, Florida. She has been a diplomat, university professor, and instructional designer. Her poetry and short fiction pieces have appeared in The Weighing of the Heart, An Anthology of Emerging Western Australian Poets, Pank, Poets Choice, Flash Fiction Magazine, The Acentos Review, On the Run, and Smoky Blue Literary and Arts Magazine. She also teaches online and paints landscapes and abstracts. Sara K. Sanders has been writing and creating since she was very young. In elementary school she used to stay inside during recess to practice her handwriting skills until inevitably all of her teachers gently removed her to the playground. She earned her BFA in Visual Art, emphasis on ceramics and fiber arts, and now lives in a small Iowa town where she tends to her gardens, her toddler, and her imagination. Lindsey Soliday is a hotel night auditor who has enjoyed writing and visual storytelling since the age of four. Her works tend to focus on human injustice and the resilience of families facing insurmountable adversities. She is a proud cat mom and world traveler who currently resides in her hometown of Tucson, Arizona.

VISUAL ARTISTS Cover art: Who wants to be a cool kid? Not me by Andrea Jones. Andrea is an artist from Liverpool, England and for the past eleven years she has worked as an art teacher in a prison. Her artwork has featured in several magazines of art and literature in the US, UK and Berlin, Germany. Andrea’s piece Doll’s Head also appears in the current issue of Beyond Words Magazine. Visit her on Instagram: andrea_jones_art; website: modandart.co.uk Serge Lecomte, Birth of a balloon. Serge was born in Belgium. He earned a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in Russian Literature, worked as a Green Beret language instructor and received a B.A. in Spanish Literature from the University of Alaska where he taught from 1978-1997. He built houses, worked as a pipefitter, orderly, landscaper, driller, bartender. He is also a published poet, novelist, playwright and artist. Barbara Tlush, Uh Oh, 10" x 12" oil on birch panel. Barbara’s oils and occasional mixed media paintings are both whimsical and classical. Implementing various unconventional tools to create with, enhances the textures that give life to her paintings. It is her goal for the viewer to have a story unfold before them, invoking joy, a positive feeling, or to bring forward a memory that was tucked away in the back of their mind. Stephanie Miller, Heartbloom. Stephanie (she/her) lives in Los Angeles, California and works as a Director of Operations in market research. She is also a poet, artist and Zen Archery instructor. Her poetry, coloring books and non-fiction work Confessions of a Failed Perfectionist are all available on Amazon. You can read her blogs here: https://www.lovemandala.net/be-love. Marlene Miller, Early Wine. Marlene is a disabled Watercolor, Acrylic and Mixed Media artist since 1985. Creating art work is like a physical craving for her, nourishing body, mind and soul. It reveals her true reverence and wonder of life and all it encompasses; wordlessly. Blandine Broomfield, That Day the Clouds Looked Like Dragons / Pern on My Mind. Blandine is a Christian mom of 10 finally finding her art time. She was raised in a cult but got free when she was 30 and she finds life to be exquisite. Elizabeth Blaisdell, Origins. Elizabeth is a contemporary feminist abstract expressionist who takes much of her influence from the psychoanalytic / Freudian art movement. She believes art is a window into the subconscious. Trained as a clinical psychologist, she follows in the footsteps of historically famous psychologists who expressed much of what they could not express verbally in the form of art. Much like a Rorschach, Elizabeth Blaisdell believes that art speaks to each viewer individually. The question “what does this look like to you” is answered by the viewers’ individual and internal narrative

between themselves and the art. Therefore Elizabeth Blaisdell‘s art is a shared experience that is both personal to each viewer and universal to the human race. Gary Kim, Tall Aspen Trees. A Korean-American artist, Gary has been painting and teaching art since he started a professional career as a painter in 2000 in New York. Currently, an adjunct professor teaching “Advanced Watercolor Painting” at Santa Fe Community College. Lillian Chow, Blue skies 1. Lillian is an emerging artist from Toronto, Ontario. She primarily works with acrylic paint on canvas and wooden board. She aspires to becoming an established artist with a definitive style and characteristics that can evolve into an emotionally stimulating images. Lou Storey, I Love You. Lou is a visual artist, writer and psychotherapist. He lives with his husband of 33 years, Steve, and their family of cats, dogs and chickens. Christian McCulloch ('WART'), Untitled Forest Scene. Christian is a prolific Short-story writer with a background in Fine Art. He's been an international teacher in British West Indies, Singapore (Principal), Japan and Hong Kong, also 10 years in Special Needs in UK. After 30 years in the Far East, he returned to UK and now lives and creates in London. His stories and artwork have appeared in many modest but worthy magazines. Sharon Matusiak, Cyclic. Sharon has been a painter for nearly 50 years. Though most of her oeuvre has been figurative, she has transformed herself once again, this time moving into abstraction. Her newest work is about transformation, moving, expanding… Yvonne Rojas-Cowan, Shifts in Time. Yvonne Rojas-Cowan is a contemporary abstract painter with Chicago roots living in the Catskills of NY. A self-taught artist, her art is characterized by layers of depth and resonance, expressive and dynamic marks, and a variety of interesting textures. Instagram: @artkarma_1; website: artkarmastudios.com Kevan Joseph O'Connor, Spirit of Youth. Kevan Joseph is a husband, father, and artist in Nashville, Tennessee. Using the physical, tangible, visual gateway of painting to connect with the sensory world, it serves as a means to navigate through vulnerable and sacred spaces. Kevan's work as an artist is one of refining communication - more than simply necessary expression - pursuing empathy through the place his art lives and speaks. Sarah Venaccio, Perhaps. Sarah is a writer, painter and zine-maker living in Appleton, Wisconsin. She has three children and two Siberian Huskies. She finds clarity in walks by the river, steamy baths with fat novels and visible mending. Emily Salisbury, Growing. Emily, graduate of the University of Portland, has taught preschool for 9 years, promoting art in the curriculum. Salisbury painted the cover for the chapbook, Come What May, published by Finishing Line Press in 2014. Salisbury’s first digital art painting was published in Beyond Words Magazine in 2021. Salisbury has

an upcoming photography piece to be published by Spry Magazine this year, as well as a digital mixed media piece being published by Wild Roof Journal. Hart Broudy, la cirque. Hart is a Canadian graphic designer/writer/visual poet. He has written 8 books and several chapbooks of visual poetry and theory. He has exhibited in Canada, the UK and Europe. His latest novel, Prisms, was published in 2020. Kris King, Child. Kris is a transplanted Texan who lives in Brooklyn. For decades, Kris has documented the city while working as community RN in New York City. Kris has studied photography and art under Stephen Shore and Joe Havel. Stephanie Michele, Fear; Survival. Stephanie is a pansexual performance artist, writer and self-proclaimed humanist. She helps facilitate Tiny Spoon, an experimental literary magazine. She graduated in 2020 with her MFA from The Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics. Stuart Baker Hawk, Shadows in the Night. Stuart is a Portugal resident via Washington state. He has an MFA in creative writing from Mississippi University for Women. George Stein, Empire and Dominion. George is a photographer from the greater NYC area focused on street, art, urban and rural decay, alt/portrait and surreal photographic genres. The photo features his son, Desmond. Nicole Van Dyken, Beautifully Trapped. Nicole is a visual artist from Chicago with a love for vibrant colors, digital collage and pen stippling. Her artwork tells stories. She uses color to add hope to even the most morbid. She especially considers her digital collages to be visual poems. Viewers can interpret them in ways that relate to their feelings. Kelly Sargent, Perspective. The piece was first published October 2021 in Newfound Magazine. Kelly’s poems and artwork in 2021, including a current Best of the Net nominee, appeared or are forthcoming in more than two dozen literary publications. Her debut poetry chapbook entitled Seeing Voices: Poetry in Motion is also forthcoming (Kelsay Books, 2022). She has served as Creative Nonfiction Editor of The Bookends Review and an assistant nonfiction editor for Newfound. She also reviews for a literary magazine dedicated to making visible the artistic expression of sexual violence survivors. She is proud to be making another appearance in Beyond Words Ramona Galardi, Strangers in the night, mixed media on paper, 2019. Ramona is an artist, a therapist and a writer. She often merges the 3 aspects of her work, and much revolves around self-questioning where her art and writing is an expression of her inner canvas. Her background is from a variety of creative fields, interiors, fashion, wellbeing, healing, fine art and writing. She enjoys expressing herself through this rich diversity. She has lived in the UK, France, Singapore, India and presently living in Portugal. She is originally from India.

Contents 0 1 B l u e Pr ay er s Sam u el A r m en 0 2 Post car d f r om th e Pl an et of W i n d Ad r i an a Sti m ol a 0 3 A l i ve, a L i f e, L i ve... Sar ah D av i s 0 6 Fi bon acci 's N on et Jon ath an Can t 0 7 O l d Sam 's Job B l ake N ox Gam a 11 T h e K i n gd om B en jam i n Rose 13 A n A sp en Passi on D i ck A l t m an 15 Cr y st al L an e Rad h i k a I y er 18 W h at H i st or y M akes of U s M ar i e H ar tu n g 20 D ef i an ce of Gr av i t y Gabr i el M cL eod

I SBN 978- 3- 948977- 96- 2

22 t o t h e scar s v i si bl e an d u n d er n eat h Rach el B ai l a 24 W ood Fr og Gi l l i an H er r i n 27 T h e Fi r st B r assi er e Pen n y Jack son 30 L osi n g O u r L an gu age Sar a B i el 32 T H E CH I L D Ch al l en ge i n cl u d i n g Yvon n e B r ew er , A n toi n et te Ken n ed y, Tam ar a K r eu t z, D er v i l l e Q u i gl ey, Ri l ey M ay es, Su san D am br of f , M ar cel l a Per al t a Si m on , Sar a K . San d er s an d L i n d sey d Sol i d ay

I nternational Literary M agazine