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“Fear and Perfume” and “Roosting Chickens” by Catherine B. Krause
Fear and Perfume You are pulling into the parking lot of the One Stop Mart. There is a large muscular man with an iron cross tattoo and a red beard standing next to a motorcycle, looking at you. You pay attention to the space you are parking in. Don’t give yourself away, you say.…
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Poetry Demon by Kristin Garth
Listen in on a reading by poet Kristin Garth by visiting the video above. Poetry Demon A poetry demon won’t clean a house. It burrows in clutter, writing it out. Language is legion. Words only espoused. Diabolism requires fingers devout. A poetry demon does not have friends. It listens to troubles, locating a pen.…
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“if there were water” and “Frameshift Mutations” by Shastra Deo
if there were water in lieu of hyacinth garden my kingdom is a heaven of spilled lilies -of-the-valley, dead lands empty is the sea : silent but for breath of my beloved(forbidden sight and sun break)hoards prophecy of the world and its remaking : years he has since grown deciduous—sloughs lashes like fall teeth, whites…
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For Someone Who Doesn’t Have to Believe in Monsters by Chloe N. Clark
I play my cards so close to my chest they might as well be tattoos when people ask me for my past I tell them the things that chase away the truth, the secret to not lying is to never get close to needing to I say I’m scared of horses and silverfish and leopard…
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SAD SANDWICHES: Baloney & Plastic Wrapped Cheese, no mayo by Moriah M. Mylod
Seeing my mother standing there with all of her grandchildren looking more infantile Walking around, carrying the infant that is me Wishing I had a dad that took us fishing not teaching us anything about how to fish Wishing I had a dad… — Finally in time, I have created a family A family I…
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“Pest Control” and “Dissociative Amnesia” by Kristin Ryan
Pest Control I. There are always roaches in the corners of my mind. I’m in the kitchen washing cups at the sink and time skips. Skips as in: I’m six and splinters are in my back. Skips again: roaches crawl over me. Skips again: the sink is overflowing and soap suds run down my arm.…
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“Burn” and “Salt Water Haibun” by Courtney LeBlanc
BURN I sit in front of the fire, the wood so dry it pops, embers rain out, a small burn marks the rug, evidence of the offense. When I met him the spark glowed hot. How quickly I reacted, knowing to let it smolder could mean a home in flames. I don’t always do this,…
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“The Devil of the Thorns” and “1981” by Lorhenz Lacsa
The Devil of the Thorns I am the Devil of the Thorns– with my eyesockets filled with only the darkness of the evilest typhoon And pores of a juniper fern. So bear with me as we entice the kings of the world to think and turn Against each other. I already perfected…
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“Pine” and “Tuileries” by Kristin Garth
Tuileries Twilight, Tuileries, trembles, tulips, then tomfoolery. Cafe au lait, collar new beneath her trenchcoat, navy blue. Her yin, the silver links his yang, the gold. She flew to him nineteen years old. His growl “good evening,” telephone — a voice with fangs, a face unknown. She’s hotel howls with bit, licked lips,…