Driving into a storm graying a cloud-mottled sky, mist climbs the building towers, umbrellas shudder below. A broken water line arcs an icy sidewalk, stoplights fail, freezing the intersections. The side street crosswalk cop spins and whistles, pauses cars as he passes the ladies on. Buses bounce a pothole lane, side panels milky with engine-melted ice. Street breezes worry […]
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DOPPLER DELIGHT – By John Zedolik The Doppler effect drags away the angry horn that melts like unattended ice cream on an August day in an unnoticed street drain and the careless eater’s fingers have found protection in napkins guarding against the sticky-sweet that might cling to exposed skin and require a washing if said consumer even cares, since it […]
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LA BÊTE DE GÉVAUDAN: 1764-1767 (THE BEAST OF GEVAUDAN) (Based partly on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beast_of_Gevaudan and translations from http://www.dinosoria.com/bete_gevaudan.htm and http://facteurx.chez.com/betegevaudan.htm) What devastated Central France three centuries ago? “A Wolfman Beast” said those who glanced and dodged this deadly foe. “La Bête de Gévaudan” – from Hell some thought this demon came. Yet only kids and women killed, no […]
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The Face of Death The doctor has seen the face of death on many occasions. He has seen scars and lacerations. His duty, his call the doctor has seen it all. [su_mary_bone]
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Insomnia The house sleeps, but I am awake, tiptoeing back through my day. So many pieces left lying about, I want to fix them all. They’re too distant though, just beyond my fingertips, yet, squarely between me and my dreams. [su_killgore]
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Parents Night Emma used to do real good in school her mother tells her new teacher. It’s Parents Night at Ryland Elementary. Mostly mothers in attendance. What’s the problem, her mother asks. Fifth grade shouldn’t be hard for her. Emma’s never had a grade lower than a B, her mother says. Teacher says Emma doesn’t do her homework and talks a lot in class. Her mother can’t believe it. Says her […]
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The Candle Lights by, Melissa R. Mendelson A soft glow slipped across the darkness. It chased the shadows away. All the unwanted emotions like doubt and fear became silenced. Peace was no longer a dream, and the body would know no war or struggle but a beautiful rest. And the eyes flashed open, mirroring the soft glow, and she […]
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Rear View Mirror Basking on the beaches of the Amalfi Coast I left the world behind, in southern Italy. It was so unique and exclusive. I was glad to see the dust fly in my rear view mirror. [su_mary_bone]
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You are a gap in my room, a missing tooth my roving tongue of a mind keeps returning to. You are a voice missing from the house, the quieted flutter of your presence a flat-line through these rooms. You are missing. From me. Bio: Valentina Cano is a student of classical singing who spends whatever free time she […]
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WHERE NONE HAS GONE BEFORE Though we arrived just yesterday In geologic time, Appears we’ve had too much to say, And none of it sublime. Repeated cometary blasts, The forces needed to Turn species into fossils past When time was overdue. Like plague of locusts, we can scourge Wherever we alight. Primeval ecosystems purge. We’re quite […]
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