YENNIFER PEDRAZA: Two Walkers in One House

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

The girl hesitated.

Then, she left the walker by the steps, grabbed her crutches, and held the handrail. It was her fourth trip.

The older woman watched with concern. She couldn’t help.

Two women, two generations, matching walkers.

She sighed in defeat. Her granddaughter’s condition was temporary, hers was not.

Yennifer Pedraza is a writer and designer based in Boston, who believes in using storytelling as a tool for connection, healing, and change. In her spare time, she is the creator and host of Her Own Words, a podcast dedicated to amplifying the stories of everyday women.

ELINA TSAI: Somewhere, USA: Ceremony of One

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

He clicks— praying, refreshing, repeat— until the screen freezes.

Confetti explodes. Champagne pops. Angels sing.

He pumps his fists and hurls his transcripts into the air, luxuriating in dopamine like golden liquid drizzling over crystal glasses.

The party streamers dissipate, revealing the holy message:

Congratulations! Welcome to the class of…

Elina Tsai is a 15-year-old-writer and a two-time Gold Key award-winner of the Scholastic Writing Contest. A student of advanced writing and literature workshops at the Morning Star Institute and a member of the Chinese Dance Company of Southern California, her pieces combine postmodern techniques and authentic community experiences to share the beauty of simple lifestyles.

CRAIG KIRCHNER: No Need For Papers

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

We are evolving in America, ears getting smaller, feet bigger, but we are losing our little toes. Josh was born today with a red, white and blue label at the base of his neck: “Made in USA – White, no bleach.” No one in the delivery room could read it.

Craig loves storytelling. He has been nominated for the Pushcart three times, and has a book of poetry, Roomful of Navels. He’s been published in Chiron Review, The Main Street Rag, One Art, Glacial Hill Review and about eight dozen other journals.

MICHAEL SAMUEL: Whispers of the Woods

Adventure, Poetry, Submissions, Top Stories, , , ,

When Jack first heard the whispers, he figured it was just the breeze.
After all, living in the forest attracted creatures of varying degrees.

They became so easy to ignore, simply assigning it to the owls in the trees.
It only became a worry when those whispers turned to pleas.

Michael Samuel lives in Missouri, dreaming up stories in his head. Every so often, they get published.

SHARON GERGER: The Gift a Medical Power of Attorney Bestows Upon You

Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, , , ,

I made the decision to let him die.

No more feeding, no more antibiotics, no more cancer treatments. Just pain meds and sedatives. He was at peace when he died. His anxiety, dread and fear were gone before he took his last breath.

I will never again be at peace.

Sharon Gerger has had to make some tough decisions over the last year. Writing about them helps her to deal with the “too much”.

DAVE BONNEY: Heirloom

Artistic, Submissions, , , , , ,

That jade tree exploded into life over summer.
Cascading gloss green discs,
no lichen covered stick
torn from an ancient plant, as I closed up my mother’s house.
“Grow again,” I whispered. “There’s sun. Reach…”
She heard me.

The daily joy of more life,
tumbling gently from a concrete pot.

Dave lives in Sydney, Australia and works across various creative disciplines. Connect at @davidnormanbonney.

JENNIFER L FREED: How to Move Your Mother To Assisted Living

Artistic, Poetry, Submissions, Top Stories, , , , ,

Fill the cardboard boxes with choices.
Promise you’ll find homes for her great aunt’s linens,
her father’s oak desk, the paired wingchairs
she’s had for forty years.
Listen to her memories.
Let her change her mind, keep
the blue quilt, donate
the green one.
Don’t mention the inevitable estate sale.

Jennifer L Freed is author of When Light Shifts, a memoir-in-poems on care-giving, aging, and family relationships, inspired by the aftermath of her mother’s stroke.  Her parents still inspire her. Please visit jfreed.weebly.com to learn more.

SUSAN HEISNER: Connor’s Debut

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

The motivational speakers took the stage. The audience didn’t expect these founders of the phenomenally successful dog-training company, Sit Down!, to unveil a new venture. On command, their yellow lab, Connor, joined them at the microphone to explain, in an almost imperceptible canine accent, his handlers’ latest enterprise, Speak Up!

Susan Heisner, aka the wyowordslinger, writes for fun and connection.

BILLIE-LEIGH BURNS: We Need To Talk

Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

He always corners you in the kitchen with, “What did you want to talk about?”

Under pressure of expectations and the sizzling stove, your resolve melts like the butter in the frying pan.

You serve him a plate of, “Nothing!” and eat your own heart out with a side salad.

Billie-Leigh Burns is a writer from Liverpool. Her work has been featured by 50 Word Stories, 101 words, Funny Pearls, and The Hooghly Review. She is also a maths tutor and a bookkeeper, making her the only writer she knows who owns an ‘I Heart Spreadsheets’ mug.