The young G, with no light in her eyes and her mouth without any smile, was dead inside because of life. She was feeling the weight of her body in each step, dragging herself on the dirty concrete and holding her heart in her hands. Life gave her the most precious gift she could ever expect but we know how life is. Life is like … Continue reading The Young G Dead Inside by Laura Mega
There is a panhandler who wanders the subways of midtown – I call him the Bitter Giant. He’s at least six feet and six inches tall, easily three hundred pounds, darkly and thickly bearded – he might be Sephardic, or Persian, or Greek. Regardless, he is the rare New York panhandler who has not learned to use empathy or hope to his advantage. He dresses … Continue reading The Bitter Giant of Midtown by David Z. Morris
When she told her boss she was quitting, he didn’t seem surprised, or even worried. Only confused and proud, pretending he knew much more about the situation than she did. “You know your job won’t be available when you get back right?” He asked as if she really didn’t know the answer, his tone somewhere in between condescension and snobbery. “Yes, I know.” He expected … Continue reading Sabbatical by Sean Dolan
The door opened and they introduced themselves. “How far you going?” Al said, glancing over at his passenger, a kid, no more than twenty-five. “Trying to get to Los Angeles,” Jimmy said. “I can take you as far as Albuquerque.” “Every little bit helps.” “Where you from?” “Tucumcari,” Jimmy said. The word made Al tingle. “Never been there,” he said. “Hot. All the time hot.” … Continue reading West on 40 by Lisa Attanasio
Rain falls heavily upon a cabin hidden within a grove of tall fir trees, it is a simple wooden structure with a thatched roof and an arched door way. Stalks of ivy cling to the wall. Thunder resounds from the surrounding peaks into the valley. From the round window in the front Morg Ana sees Mary Ray, the minister’s wife, running through the trees to … Continue reading Angel’s Trumpet by Olive Morgan
The B screeched to a halt at Brighton Beach as night fell. I’d been alone on the subway since Prospect Park. As the train gradually emptied throughout the ride, I recalled the vines and plants which blossomed from the crevices of Prospect Park station, lining the walls and tracks with green, and which were fed by the setting sunlight. I’d hoped to pass it on my … Continue reading Coney Island Midnight by Matthew Lesaule
The first time I saw her, mildly buck teeth, pouty lips, cleft chin, dishwater red hair, a light behind the sapphire eyes, the middle buttons of her blouse were pulled taut, hinting at underwear beneath, and a sturdy behind. We talked about music. Revealing the power of music, if only spoken of. “All country songs seem to be about getting drunk, cheating and getting your … Continue reading The Raincoat and the Camaro By Tom Harper
There is little negative that can be said of Toronto. It is clean and friendly and everyone seems to possess a marked amount of self-control with regard to sexuality. Perhaps the only trash you’ll ever see on the ground is a paper cup with the Tim Hortons logo on it. I was unaware of who Tim Horton was before setting foot on Canadian soil, but … Continue reading Toronto, An Abyss of Tim Hortons Cups
