VERNAE COFFEE: It Is Not

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

It is not the darkness,
but the light refusing
to shine into that place.

It is not the argument
we had over breakfast this morning,
but the years of silence.

It is not the murder of one man
on one day
but the systemic oppression
of human beings for centuries.

Vernae is new to the world of publishing, but is enjoying every moment of it. She began submitting her work for publication in 2018 and has been published several times. Her unpublished Children’s Book “Teddy Wet My Bed” was selected as one of five Finalists by Eyelands 2019 Book Awards in the Unpublished Books Category. Vernae is praying for healing and health in our nation and the world.

HARRY DEMAREST: Anti-War Protest, 1971

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

Thousands of demonstrators marched down Main Street in Champaign-Urbana, waving banners and shouting.

They were followed by hundreds of police, there to keep order.

Afterwards, the news condemned the demonstrators for smashing store windows.

Everybody believed it, except for the peaceful demonstrators, and the police who actually broke the windows.

This is a true story, according to Harry Demarest’s good friend R.B., who watched it all from the rooftops.

ESZTER MOLNAR: Priorities

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

I could have stolen the sandwiches but I needed the shoes more. The beach was busy but nobody noticed me. They rarely do during the day.

The boys come for me after the pubs have closed. Restless, bored, vicious.

But tonight I won’t be kicked or punched. Tonight I run.

Eszter Molnar is a former teacher who lives by the windswept British seaside. She has been published in one of the UK’s biggest subscription magazines for children. By day, she cleans up after preschoolers, by night she writes flash fiction, picture books and Middle Grade fiction.

HARRIS COVERLEY: Medical Marvel

Amusing, Odd, Submissions, , ,

“I’ve never seen ovarian cysts in a man’s neck before,” said the doctor, snapping his gloves off.

“Pardon me,” I said, “but I came here about the rash on my hand.”

I held up the offending appendage.

He stared at it for a while and eventually declared: “…That’s athlete’s foot.”

Harris Coverley has fiction published or forthcoming in The Scribe, Trembling With Fear, and The J.J. Outre Review. He is also a Rhysling-nominated poet, with forthcoming verse in Spectral Realms, Corvus Review, The Oddville Press, and many others.

CANDACE KUBINEC: The Homeless Man on the Corner

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

He’s a lonely fixture on the street corner: cardboard sign, threadbare coat, empty eyes resigned to this fate. His life is a mere bump in the road. Ignored by many, embraced by none, even though he once lived their lives.

In the night, he howls without words and resolves nothing.

Candace Kubinec posts her stories at storydribbles.wordpress.com and her poetry at rhymeswithbug.com.

RAN WALKER: Protest in the Time of Covid

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

As the previous night’s fires mixed with the morning fog, Alex put on his face mask and went out to retrieve his morning newspaper from the driveway.

His street was quiet, peaceful, untouched.

Inside his home, his wife and son slept upstairs, oblivious to the fire still raging within him.

Ran Walker is the author of twenty books. He teaches creative writing at Hampton University and lives with his wife and daughter in Virginia.

GEORGE J SEARLES: How to Deal With Your Parents

Submissions, Touching, , ,

Grieve and mourn here and now,
while their deaths tick ever closer,
though still some years away.

Take a week or two.
Use vacation time or sick leave.
Grieve. Mourn.

Do this right and you may begin
to love them both a little better
here, now,
while it matters most.

George J. Searles teaches English and Latin at Mohawk Valley Community College. Widely published, he is a former Carnegie Foundation New York State “Professor of the Year.”

JAYNE MARTIN: Brothers

Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, , , , ,

I wait for Mom and Dad to return from the hospital.

Please wake up.

The rock skips one, two, three times across the calm lake surface before sinking into the deep. It’s all in the wrist action. I tried to teach you, like I tried to teach you to swim.

Jayne Martin is a Pushcart, Best Small Fictions, and Best Microfictions nominee, and a recipient of Vestal Review’s VERA award. Her debut collection of microfiction, “Tender Cuts,” from Vine Leaves Press, is available now. Visit jaynemartin-writer.com or find her on Twitter at @Jayne_Martin or Facebook at Jayne Martin-Author.

CHRISTINA MARIE DIAMOND: The Critic

Amusing, Submissions, Touching, , , ,

Another day of wonder with my toddler.

I can only do so many unique voices and only one at a time. That’s why Mr. Elephant and Mr. Rabbit sound alike. She’s not pleased. I take her notes and will be better prepared for tomorrow’s encore.

I should’ve minored in theater.

Christina Marie Diamond is a storyteller residing in Hong Kong with her spouse and daughter. When she’s not being creative, the Brooklyn, NY native and her family are busy traveling around Asia.