HELEN M MERRICK: Cumulonimbus

Adventure, Submissions, , ,

It was a light shower, a mere smattering of water droplets barely dampening the ground, but I stared transfixed.

Barely noticing the triumphant whoops of the colonists, I watched tiny rivulets zig-zag down my visor, stunned by the magnitude of our achievement.

We’d done it! It was raining on Mars.

Helen M. Merrick lives in the UK Midlands with her family. When she’s not teaching, she likes to scribble short stories and dream about writing a novel. She might, one day. See more at authorhelenmerrick.wordpress.com.

JOREE NOVOTNY: 34 months and 3 days

Artistic, Submissions, Touching, , , ,

Nose pressed to stone, you say, “I just love watching ants.”

Your cheeks smile and I think into my drink how raising you is heavy but loving you is weightless.

“Where did the ant go?”

Unburdened, you crawl after your question. Already my beer is warm with watching you become.

Joree writes when she can with what she has.

HOPE HAEFNER: It’s All in the Numbers

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

Patient: Age 62

Numerology is the study of numbers. In China, 8 represents luck. Two loops suggest repetition, linking to infinity.

May 8 is World Ovarian Cancer Day. On May 8, 53 years ago, I developed ovarian cancer; 3 years ago, a 5-cm bowel sarcoma. Don’t let the numbers stop.

Hope Haefner, MD, is the Co-Director of the Childhood Ovarian Cancer Association. She is a survivor of an ovarian cancer (grade 2 to 3 immature teratoma) and a grade 3 leiomyosarcoma of the small bowel.

MICHELLE WILSON: Demon’s Windfall

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

It waited patiently
on the bedpost, backseat, produce shelf
while her parents fought
in the next room, front seat, supermarket
leaving her unattended, abandoned,
_______________________________vacant.

She held her breath, frozen,
not fearing their anger
but the demon
_______(edging closer by the minute),

misconstruing
any move she made
_______for an invitation.

Michelle Wilson’s words have appeared in Litro Magazine, The Drabble, 50-Word Stories, Literally Stories, Flash Fiction Magazine, and Mr. Beller’s Neighborhood, among others. She lives in Miami Beach, Florida. Sometimes, she can be found at medium.com/@wilsmk.

EILEEN MARDRESS: Becoming a Mother

Submissions, Touching, , , ,

Surprisingly, becoming a mother didn’t wait for my son’s birth. Mid-pregnancy I awoke with the thought that “I am a mother.” Shock, then awe as I realized my position within the universe had irrevocably changed for all eternity.

Forty years parenting, ten years grieving. Still a mother. Still his mother.

Eileen has four sons spread throughout the universe, with three still with her on Earth.

ANNA SANDERSON: Haunted

Artistic, Odd, Submissions, , ,

“I see things.” Her words send a shiver down my spine. “Mama’s red hair. Papa’s scowl.”

“Liv…”

Memories flicker in her eyes. Endless nights of quilt-cover armour and tears.

“I’m afraid they’re back.”

I glance into the hallway, where our parents’ silhouettes hover. I can’t tell her they never left.

Anna Sanderson writes about the world as she sees it (with the odd twist and turn). You can follow her story on Twitter at @annasanderson86.

TORCHÉ JOHNSON: For Old Times’ Sake

Submissions, Touching, , ,

Crunching gravel and canned cherry freshener.

You, me, and the endless road, twisted like black licorice.

Remember?

Your favorite toy—the squeaking pig—steals your passenger seat spot with equal measures of innocence and callousness. I give her a good squeeze and crack open the window for old times’ sake.

Author’s note: In memory of Haus, the coolest Jack Russell

Torché is passionate about God, anime, and writing. She combines these three elements in her manga (that she co-writes with her sister), TheRemnant: This Is Not Flesh & Blood.

CAROLYN R RUSSELL: Something Blue

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

“It’s my first wedding,” gushes my client. “I want my gown to be really special.” Her mother nods in agreement.

Shockingly, I am no longer shocked.

I retrieve the marked tape looped around my neck and grab a sharpened pencil. But it’s just for show. I’ve already taken her measure.

Carolyn R. Russell is the author of two novels and a book of film criticism. Her essays, poetry, and short stories have been featured in numerous publications, including The Boston Globe, Flash Fiction Magazine, Club Plum Literary Journal, The Ekphrastic Review, Dime Show Review, and Propertius Press. She holds an M.A. in Film Studies from Chapman University and has taught on the college, high school, and middle school levels. Carolyn lives on and writes from Boston’s North Shore. See more at carolynrrussell.com.

KEN GOSSE: Gramps’ Grammar

Amusing, Artistic, Poetry, Submissions, , ,

When arguments became absurd,
old grandpa wouldn’t say a word
but he’d lean back and feign surprise
(a doting tease with crossing eyes)
and soon he came to realize
a fact which common sense belies—
for in his silence, what they heard
was proof that he’s a wise old bird.

Ken Gosse usually writes short, rhymed, light poetry but sometimes departs from that. He was first published in First Literary Review–East in November 2016, later in The Offbeat, Pure Slush and others. He was raised in the Chicago suburbs but is now retired. He and his wife have lived in Mesa, AZ, over twenty years.