“Karakoe Night” by Luis Arteaga “AloeVera”

Luis Arteaga

KARAOKE NIGHT

time we would go to Sonic, my friend Elijah would get the mozzarella sticks and I used to think they were the most disgusting thing. Hell I wouldn’t even get in the car with him if he invited his cheesy passenger. Those mozzarella sticks and every other form of fast-food cheese for that matter isn’t even cheese. They serve a “cheesy substance” that’s made from cheese and other ingredients including a substance found in plastic that your body will have a very hard time processing. It contains only 60% cheese and 40% fillers. Even if you want cheese on your burger or in your mozzarella sticks, you don’t want the “cheese” they are advertising.

Whether it is on a burger, pizza, or Quesada’s, cheese is the main attraction at almost any event that includes food. And, why not? Cheese is used in every culture all over the world, it is very accessible, and on top of that people love it. I, however, would much rather eat fried tofu than share living space with a slice of cheese. I will continue to stick to my odd cheese peeling ways. Oh, wait did I forget to mention I love Queso?

FORSAKEN SNOW STAG

Cameron Ireland

from Todd Murphy’s “Untitled (Flowering Branch Stag)” 2018

It stands tall and proud while you kneel, pitiful. Its eyes, dark marbles filled by the blackness of a starless night, skewer you with repulsion. you try to stand, but It balks a mighty noise, throaty and harsh. From Its breath comes fresh mint entwined in sweet honeysuckle. The scents float from you, fading memories, and the pure snow beast jeers, laughing the sound of scraping branches in a mighty midnight gale.

“I am unobtainable for you now,” It scorns, “for my perfection has been tainted by your smog, your discards, and your hubris.” A clear-water pond springs from under Its hooves, icy coolness streaming through the oily darkness that surrounds you. Pale petals drift down, gracefully caressed by the creeks. your hand reaches to catch one, but it flees from you.