“Narrative of Explanation” by John Gosslee

The world is like a boat and the crew thinks they know why the water chops the home, why the forest is picked apart by the bank and looks like a city or a desert. The spreadsheet flickers under the lightning and the crew wants someone overboard as if they were the storm’s anchor. I don’t want part of the broken political machine chewing its … Continue reading “Narrative of Explanation” by John Gosslee

“The World Writes Itself” by Chris Campanioni

My first real job was as a journalist; I reported during the day, copy-edited at night. I worked for three of the largest newspapers in the nation. I couldn’t wait to get out. My press pass said EDITORIAL/NEWS REPORTER but what I really was or what I really wanted to be was a recorder, recording details and sensations about the people and their lives, not … Continue reading “The World Writes Itself” by Chris Campanioni

“A Friend, Three” by Daniel Woody

a friend he tells me nothing is better than taking a good shit i laugh but then i notice he has built his life around taking good shits efficient and clean he eats whole grains and fruits and vegetables and each morning and night metamucil he avoids meats from inferior butchers snacks on yogurt and oats bataille wrote about this shit he looked at it … Continue reading “A Friend, Three” by Daniel Woody

The Opiate Vol. 6 Reading at Pacific Standard

They say it’s too expensive to live in New York. And yes, it’s true. So maybe that’s why you couldn’t come to the reading of The Opiate, Vol. 6. Or maybe you’re just an illiterate sumbitch who would prefer to watch your “stories” on the screen. Whatever the case, now you can watch us on the screen, in this crude combo of reimagining and actual … Continue reading The Opiate Vol. 6 Reading at Pacific Standard

Somalia, Ernesto and Señor Cigala by Melissa Hunter Gurney

When Somalia was 15 she sat in a Mexican school house with 15 other pupils all in white button-down blouses and plaid skirts with knee-high navy blue socks. Her professor was called Señor Cigala or Profesor. Somalia’s classmates called her Lia with an accent on the “i” always making it sound as though what they wanted was urgent. On the 15th day of November Lia … Continue reading Somalia, Ernesto and Señor Cigala by Melissa Hunter Gurney