MARILYN McFARLANE: An Elegant Lady

Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

She was a classic beauty, no question. Poets adored her aloof smile, her grace and mystery, and some thought they knew her, but her secrets were masked behind a reflective melancholy. Even with age she retained a certain elegance, though her glory days were over. She was sinking. Arrivederci, Venice.

Marilyn McFarlane is the author of several travel guidebooks. These days she focuses on 50 word stories, haiku poetry, and occasional essays. And she’s working on a mystery novel. It looks good so far; we shall see.

ASHLEY SCOTT: No

Artistic, Submissions, , , , , ,

I kiss my daughter; she twists away. “No,” she says.

“Don’t you hate that?” Margie sighs. “We do enough. We deserve kisses.”

I remember uncomfortable playground embraces. Unwanted subway pawing. Nights reluctantly spent.

“No,” I say. The word is whiskey. Dark, strong, medicinal. I smile and watch the girls play.

Ashley Scott lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest. She loves writing that packs a lot into a little. You can find her short stories and flash fiction in online literary publications, including On the Premises.

BC NANCE: Resolution

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

He stood and looked at the clock. Three minutes before midnight, New Year’s Eve. He unfolded a worn sheet of paper and checked off “ten thousand pushups in one year.”

Two minutes, one item left. One round in the revolver; one minute. He squeezed the trigger.

The television exploded. Check.

B. C. Nance writes fiction and poetry. This story was inspired by a conversation with his good friend and fellow writer Randal Williams, whose story, “Sing, Oh Sinner,” was published In 50 Word Stories on March 6, 2019.

CAROLA SCHEINA: Ancestry

Submissions, Touching, , ,

She pulls the Depends down and helps the shaking frame settle on the raised toilet.

Gently, she rubs a hand, skin like crumpled tissue paper. That hand once cared for her. Things change.

The report is folded in her purse, but she decides right then: family is more than blood.

Carol Scheina writes and edits as a freelancer. In free moments, she dreams up stories while trying to keep the cat from jumping on the keyboard and messing everything up. You can find some of her writing at carolscheina.wordpress.com.

SUSAN GALE WICKES: Final Edition

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

The old building is empty now. In my mind, it still bustles.

There were stories to be written, ads to be sold, never-ending deadlines.

People were waiting for what we had to say.

“Ink in our veins,” we used to laugh.

No one yelled, “Stop the presses.”

They stopped anyway.

Susan Gale Wickes is a writer from Indiana. She enjoys reading and writing short stories.

MARIA CARGILLE: Art Lover

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

Her hands were a blur
of harsh bitten nails
smudges of ink
and the assurance that comes
with creation.

On her arm there were
scabs and paint
and one ancient hair tie,
retied.

She was a mess,
and I loved her before my eyes ever
made it past her elbows.

Maria doesn’t believe in love at first sight, but her muse keeps trying to change her mind. She’s delighted to announce that her poem “Swept Away” was recently featured in The Coe Review.

ALYCE CLARK: Unopened

Submissions, Top Stories, Touching, , , ,

I fought the urge to wreck the place.

Tears streamed down my face, blurring the decorations I’d put up for Daddy. Presents taunted me from under the tree.

It’s late January now. There will be no welcome home from the hospital, no belated Christmas celebrations… Those gifts won’t be opened.

Alyce Clark was so awed and inspired by the stories of others, she decided to write them for herself.

VERNAE COFFEE: Praying Through the Darkness

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

On my first night in the shelter (in a pitch black room), while praying, someone touched me. Then a softly accented voice said, “Teach me to pray like you…”

I did.

Months later, I still see her clasped hands praying through her darkness. Her smile widens with each new day.

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 recently selected as one of five Finalists by Eyelands 2019 Book Awards in the Unpublished Books Category.

LAURA BESLEY: Santa’s Favourite

Artistic, Submissions, Touching, , ,

“Look what Santa gave me,” Travis says.

“Wow! An iPhone!” Arthur says. “I got an iPad.”

Neil has heard of these things, but he got a puzzle.

He kicks at the playground gravel, scattering it against a window. In the Time Out Chair, he wonders why Santa likes him less.