A rotten egg is cracked against the sky; nothing you can see beyond the scrim of smoke, the glow of furnaces, the choke. Can’t tell the chug of the machinery from barges pushing in another load of coke. No delight in things tonight: the swimming pool; the motor boat; the camper hitched out back. No […]
Issue 76
Nellie Bridge: Dirty Underwear
When I was young, I heard or read that you shouldn’t wear dirty underwear, in case you get in an accident so you won’t be embarrassed when they undress you. I didn’t get it — the focus on underwear in an emergency. And I’d be embarrassed in any case. And just how clean should they […]
Melissa Tuckey: Another One
Midnight divides a man one self from another scotch from the rocks I am on a wheelie chair at the kitchen table listening to complaints we go like this ‘til 3 am It feels good don’t it New Years and nothing’s changed stone angels in the backyard doorstep with its pile of snow and I […]
Phillip B. Williams: Bloodsong
Toss their heads onto the front porch. The cat leaves them as gifts for us. Blood and fur, broom sweep and hum, we do this once a week: bleach away mouse blood, feed the night air its meat, bodiless. If you would ever find the bodies I know your pity would make room for them […]