our unBorn child (FicTion 2nd place) - Tavia LaShae’ Gilliam

SECOND PLACE Drugs

by Ash Griffith

“Psst.... Hey! Hey kid, c’mere.” A man dressed in a thick trench coat with a hood called to Moss from a very narrow, dark alleyway. Moss pointed to himself, confused. The man roughly waived him over. Moss took a dumb chance and ran to him. “Need a fix, kid?” “Yeah, how’s you know?” “I got Columbian Blend, Kava, Dark Roast. Watch need? Whatcha need, kid?” “Can I have a Java Chip Frappacino with a muffin?” “Toasted?” “Oh yeah.” “I see you’re a high dollar customer. Alright, $5. Here, here. Now scram!” Moss ripped it from him and ran with his fix into the night.

THIRD PLACE Womanhood is...

by Courtney Wheeler

It wasn’t my first period It wasn’t my first bra It wasn’t the loss of my virginity It was the moment I said “no.”

FIRST PLACE My Privilege

by Aila Castane

Is it because the skin I’m in Is so threatening that you seek refuge behind a bullet? GO. AHEAD. AND. PULL. IT. Because 6 feet under, I’ll still be the same hue. And though I will no longer be me, You will still have the privilege of being you.