SCOTT KEENEY: Prosperous

Adventure, Submissions, , , ,

Earth’s institutions crumbled like neglected skyscrapers: gradually, then in an instant. PROSPER (Privatized Resource Optimization and Social Progress Extrapolation Routine) ordained the rebirth. Enforced cooperation. Focused passions. Eliminated threats. Three billion lives culled from nine. Resistance? Quarantined. Transgression? Deprecated. Humanity? Yes, a legacy file we keep in a dedicated folder.

Scott Keeney is the author of Wahoo Sunset and other poetry collections. His fiction has appeared in Flash Frontier, Hobart, Rio Grande Review, and elsewhere. He lives in Connecticut.

NORMAN MARCOTTE: Scholastic Encounter

Amusing, Submissions, , , , ,

“What’s the matter, dear?” Helen says as Mark enters the house, crying. “Did something happen at school again?”

“Someone threw a spitball at the back of my head when I was writing on the board,” Mark replies, wiping his nose clean.

“Maybe you should start using Powerpoint when you teach.”

Norman Marcotte is retired and enjoys spending his free time exercising his creative brain. You can find more of his writing at normanmarcotte.com.

EILEEN MARDRES: Parenting Sons

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

All beginning so tiny, so sweet. Then growing and playing, running Mom off her feet. Boys being boys, learn and explore.  The world beckons, and they are gone.  A blink of the eye, and boys became men, then fathers themselves. Now Mom’s greatest pride: sons watching their own children grow.

Eileen Mardres feels that one of life’s most wonderful experiences is seeing your kids grow up to be amazing parents.

BROOKSIE C FONTAINE: First Kiss While Bigfoot-Watching

Artistic, Submissions, ,

We’re sixteen, and aware of the possibilities of the universe. Cryptids, candy-colored UFOs.

We brought an old tent and all the snacks we could afford.

Maybe he passed by while our lips touched. You swore you heard something.

You kissed me again anyway. It was more important.

Something to keep.

Brooksie C. Fontaine is a Wigleaf-nominated author with MFA degrees in English and Illustration. Her work has appeared in over thirty literary journals and anthologies, including trampset, Bending Genres, Fahmidan Journal, Ghost Parachute, Anti-Heroin Chic, and The Wild Umbrella.

SARA KATE EGAN: True Treasure

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

“Well, it’s still fun to look, Grandma!” I reassure her.

Our evening beach hike was turning up no coveted yooperlites. Searching for Lake Superior’s glowing rocks is her favorite pastime.

“Fluorescent sodalite makes them light up!” Grandma raves, spellbound. We stroll. I smile.

I’ve already found what shines brightest here.

Sara Kate Egan finds inspiration in a diverse natural world surrounding her in the Upper Midwest, be it wild woodlands, Great Lakes, colorful prairies, or curious critters within such special places. Writing locally flavored microfiction is her favorite thing, although sometimes a nice enough poem will strike. Watch out, world!

BETH KERR: First Breath

Artistic, Submissions, Touching, , ,

It began on the solstice, after yoga, eating Chinese food.

The night braided with contractions and wonder.

Twenty-six tiresome hours passed before the weary nurse declared: “This baby comes on my shift!”

A breath, a push, my blue-quiet-daughter arrives. On my chest, she takes her first life-giving breath. “Hello there.”

Beth Kerr lives and writes in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She’s chipping away at her memoir “Beyond Her: a journey surviving to thriving.”

ELLEN TOWNSEND: New Home

Adventure, Submissions, ,

The new house smelt of dust, plastic and lemon detergent. Walls bare, furniture wrapped, they unpacked boxes, mopped floors, hoovered carpets and cleaned cupboards, but an odour still lingered of damp, bones and blood. Two grey eyes watched them.

They wouldn’t erase her scent. She would make sure of it.

Ellen Townsend is an art teacher and writer. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Flash Fiction Magazine, Fairfield Scribes, 50-Word Stories and others.

SIMON BUCKLEY: The Invitational

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

Every slinky dreams of a staircase like this. But for Bobby, the dream was about to become real. It hadn’t come easy. Escalator camps. Winters at Mount Niesen. He looked down at the stairs and up to the fluttering banner: THE M. C. ESCHER INVITATIONAL. He began to fall. Forever.

Simon Buckley is a contemporary visual artist based in Glasgow, Scotland. His interdisciplinary practice explores language, rurality and non-human intelligence. He is currently a co-director of the Action Research group Durty Beanz. His work is exhibited and published by galleries, museums and biennales across the world.

SAANVI THAKUR: The Book that Blinked First

Adventure, Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, , ,

The library breathes at dawn.
A girl opens a forbidden book; ink rearranges the future.
Footsteps chase her between shelves.
She chooses courage, not prophecy.
Outside, sunlight waits.
The book closes itself, satisfied.
Some stories escape pages.
Some choose their reader.
Today, both do.
Magic smiles, pleased with its consequences.

Saanvi Thakur is a writer who lives for quiet tension and loud emotions. She has already written two books, Whispers Between Worlds and Threads of Silence, both exploring hidden truths, fragile choices, and the power of what goes unsaid. When she isn’t writing, she’s usually lost in books, plotting new stories, or convincing herself she doesn’t need one more notebook.