KEN GOSSE: The Writer Doth Protest

Amusing, Poetry, Submissions, , ,

It seems in vain that he’ll complain
although he fain will make it plain
along this vein, severe wrist pain
is driving him insane.

And though his writing’s not inane—
the words are clear, they’re not arcane—
since some will chafe at his campaign,
he should refrain from this refrain.

Ken Gosse usually writes whimsical, rhymed verse. First published in First Literary Review–East in November 2016, later in Pure Slush, Home Planet News, Lothlorien Poetry Journal, Spillwords, and many others. Raised in Chicago suburbs, now retired, he and his wife live in Mesa, AZ, with rescue dogs and cats.

SEBASTIAN FUNARI: January 1st

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

Today I became a father.

At the hospital, I spent hours sitting, not knowing where to put my hands. I observed my son sleeping. At the same time, the new year was beginning.

I believe life restarts like this: silence, with fatigue, fear, and desire to do well, today on.

Sebastian Funari is an Italian author who writes short stories for those with little time but who don’t want to stop reading. Simple texts, inspired by everyday life and personal experiences, strange or ordinary.

MARINDA KOTZE: Migratory Habits

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

A couple argues in the front row. I perch forward on my seat and fan myself with a leaflet foisted on me at the bus stop. The soft glow of an orange sunset flashes onto us in rhythmic intervals through the roadside trees. Overhead, a skein of geese glide home.

Marinda Kotze wrote this micro story on a long bus ride home.

JOHN H. DROMEY: Prima Facie Proof

Amusing, Submissions, ,

“A little birdie told me you had a bit too much to drink at last night’s party. According to her, you were so tipsy—maybe even drunk—you asked the cat to sing karaoke with you.”

“I must have been drunk. If I’d been sober, I’d have asked the dog.”

John H. Dromey, by his count, previously had 88 stories published online in 50-Word Stories. He thanks John G. for providing him with the premise for this one.

YUVNA MUSUKU: The Photo

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

The photobooth strip clung to the wall.
We giggled as our sparkly dresses reflected in the camera.
The tape’s grip loosened.
We danced all night, dodging our dates’ glares.
You touched our matching bracelets: best friends forever.
It fell.
Yet, now, I sit alone.
at the
back      of your funeral.

Yuvna enjoys writing flash fiction and personal essays. She also enjoys reading, hiking, and trying out different cuisines.

JOHN SZAMOSI: BB

Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, , , , ,

I half-watch the game, NFL wildcard, mostly commercials. My brother texts: Michelob. Yesterday’s argument lingers.

He arrives with the beer. We sit. Memories. A family thinned to two.

Once hungry, never full.
Once poor, always poor.

Next day he texts me again: Molson, mañana. I agree.

Beer. Brother. Good enough.

John Szamosi is a wordsmith and peace activist. He’s been publishing short stories, satires and poems since his freshman year in college.

JENNY HART: When the Silence Came

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

The day Dad died, the world didn’t end—but the birds forgot how to sing. His empty chair echoed louder than thunder. I reached for his voice in dreams, only to wake with nothing but shadows. Grief isn’t loud. It’s the silence that follows love, and never quite leaves.

Jenny Hart wrote this story.

BOB THURBER: Dog Days

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

During the miserably hot sultry nights those of us renting rooms on the third-floor climbed through a window onto the porch roof. We set up lawn chairs, sipped beers and smoked cigarettes. We talked about things we’d lost, about breakups and custody battles, and we tried to catch our breath.

Bob Thurber is the author of six books. Regarded as a master of Flash and Micro Fiction, his work has appeared in Esquire and other magazines, been anthologized 60 times, received a long list of awards, and been utilized in schools and colleges throughout the world. He resides in Massachusetts. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.

SHERRI BALE: Overwhelmed

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, ,

Stop! I can’t take any more. Shut off the television. Turn off the radio. Cancel the newspapers. Delete the apps on your phone. Pull Alexa’s plug. Close the blinds; lock all the doors. Got to bed. Pull the covers over your head.

Set the alarm for three years from now.

Sherri Bale is a retired geneticist, part-time personal trainer, Jack Russell Terrier mom, and writer of fiction as short as 50 words and as long as 90,000. Whatever it takes to tell the story.