BOB THURBER: Adrift in Timeless Affection

Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, Touching, , , ,

Past the bend, out of sight of the lake houses, we locked our oars.

The night was quiet, the air was still, the moon was full, the lake was a mirror.

We had our own moon, our own sky, a billion stars shining their light in the depths beneath us.

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.

GENE NEWMAN: Seeing Less is Believing

Amusing, Submissions, ,

I always thought I was a fairly good housekeeper
until cataract surgery perfected one of my imperfect eyes.

I was shocked then to see clearly the dreadful condition of the house
and I resolved to do something about it immediately.

I now wear an eyepatch at home during daylight hours.

Gene Newman is a retired old guy (90 yrs) and former New Jersey journalist and columnist. Read more at GeneNewmanImagineThat.com.

TITUS GRIMM: Diary

Poetry, Submissions, Touching, , , ,

I see her smile in the letters
I hear her laughter in the spaces
I lean in to smell the pages
I feel her forehead pressed to mine

My pen can’t make an indent
My words have lost all meaning
And though intimate she’s seeming
This message was her last

Titus Grimm wrote this story.

SUSAN GALE WICKES: Commencement

Submissions, Touching, , , ,

One by one, the graduates’ names were called.

For me, there was one who stood out.

Maybe it was her face, etched with years, yet filled with determination.

Or the graceful way she rose to accept her diploma.

The smile that said, “I did it.”

Yes, Grandma. You really did.

Susan Gale Wickes lives in Indiana. In addition to writing and reading short stories, she enjoys cartoon captioning and word games.

PAULA HENRY-DURU: Tricksters

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, , ,

Strange men emerged from the sand. It hadn’t rained in years and these men were a welcome distraction from the drought. They promised us rain for food, and too quickly we agreed.

Now the rain is ceaseless, and from my stilt house I see strange men emerge from the waters.

Paula Henry-Duru is a student and has recently started writing flash fiction.

S JUUL: Rustic Anniversary

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

Two ducks float along the river, quacking amicably like a bickering couple on their golden anniversary. Above them, blue skies. Below them, stones that shimmer in the sunlight. They come to a stop over two submerged bicycles, facing each other, rusting. The ducks bicker, then go bottoms up to eat.

S. Juul lives in Kyoto, Japan, and treasures teatime by the Kamogawa River when not teaching.

HILLARY LYON: Lost Among the Mannequins

Adventure, Odd, Submissions, ,

A pale grove sprouted in darkness, surrounding Marta’s bed, blocking the door. Each wore a painted smile, sly eyes molded in plaster.

Go back to sleep, Mom groaned, it’s just a nightmare. Brother hissed, Anything for attention. Deep in that grove, little Marta heard a raspy whisper: We’re waiting for you.

Hillary founded and for 20 years acted as senior editor for the independent poetry publisher, Subsynchronous Press. Her short stories, drabbles, and poems have appeared in numerous print and online publications. Hillary also creates illustrations for horror/sci-fi, and pulp fiction sites. See more at hillarylyon.wordpress.com.

JOYCE W NISSLEY: Catharsis

Artistic, Submissions, ,

Some say violent shows are curative. I favor the car wash.

Inhuman noises begin. A monster brush advances across the hood with threats of demolition, and murder. Mechanicals encircle. Water pounds an attack on the roof. My heart pounds, too. My breathing stops.

As I drive away, I am content.

Joyce became interested in writing while a college freshman, when a story about childhood drew praise from her English instructor. However, after earning a B.A. Degree in English Literature, she put the interest aside, which lasted most of her life. Now retired, she enjoys writing about memorable episodes and the remarkable people who create the world of her family and their winery.

KATHY LYNN CARROLL: Letting Go

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

She was tired of the worry, the sentimentality and guilt. She’d always doted on them, extolling their virtues, overlooking flaws. But her treasured memories weren’t reciprocated in their lifeless eyes and silent indifference. Still, letting go filled her with paralyzing ambivalence—until she heard the auctioneer’s appraisal and said, “Sell!”

Kathy Lynn Carroll is a freelance writer living in Connecticut, where she is also a part time library assistant. Her fiction and journalism has appeared in a variety of publications over the years. Most recently her work has appeared in The First Line.