BOB THURBER: You had to be there!

Artistic, Submissions, Touching, , , ,

On Christmas morning,
in the darkness before dawn,
all the stars shifted,
arranging themselves
into sharp, crisp letters
twenty miles high,
spelling out
“God Knows.”

Every creature saw the miracle
in the language they understood best.
And those without language,
millions of children among them,
saw it better than anyone.

Over the years Bob Thurber’s work has received a long list of awards and prizes. His most recent book is a collection of brief stories titled “Nothing But Trouble.” His first novel, “Paperboy: A Dysfunctional Novel,” was recently rereleased. Visit BobThurber.net.

JOSÉ JAIME PÉREZ SEGURA: Trapped

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

Once again, like many times before, he was in the same situation. He’d promised himself not to be defeated by that same enemy anymore, but it seemed so impossible. Along the years, his enemy had become stronger, and he weaker. That was his daily struggle with getting out of bed.

José Jaime is a Spanish guy who wants to improve his writing and his imagination.

RAPHAEL BASTEK: Pieces in Place

Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, , , ,

“How is your new job?” A crumb escapes, falling.

“I am thankful to have one.” Careful, collected, but unable to avoid my family’s stream of questions. I reflect, the way my bargain-bin cassette instructed.

A miniature rake scrapes across the artificial garden on my desk. A grain of sand escapes.

Raphael Bastek is a Polish-American office worker. He lives with his beloved cat, Yuna.

JOHN ATKINS: Get a Switch

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

“Get a switch,” Mamaw said. “A good one or you’ll be sorry.”

My five-year-old mind is already sorry but doesn’t know why, like my dog who peed inside but got his beating hours later. I’m ashamed that I don’t remember.

It better be a good switch: from child to adult.

John Atkins is a Renaissance curmudgeon, retired from corporate America, who spends days writing for himself and watching birds eat dried mealworms on the front stoop. He also edits a local quarterly magazine and is working on his first science fantasy novel.

LEIGH WARD-SMITH: Trees

Odd, Submissions, , , ,

I can’t forget the first year I got to go tree-chopping. Displacing snow drifts heaped like cairn-stones, Dad and I trudged over hills and through hollows until he whispered: “Stay here. If you see red snow, run.”

It’s a shame there’s bloodthirsty trees in this world. And one less Dad.

Leigh Ward-Smith is a writer who subsists almost entirely on sweet tea, literature, and the weirdities of life*. She also loves dogs and other critters. When there’s time, she blogs at Leigh’s Wordsmithery.

HASEN HULL: The Magnificent and Replaceable

Artistic, Submissions, ,

It’s your reason to live and it’s killing you. You’re smoking twenty a day and afraid to touch booze. The dreams are your insurance, the nightmares left unsaid. But you were once so sure.

Nobody told you about this. The dark side of the moon. The nothingness surrounding the stars.

Hasen Hull lives in London. His work has appeared in Litro, Pure Slush, Flash Fiction Magazine, Praxis, Microfiction Monday and elsewhere. He enjoys photography and long journeys.

REBECCA MILTON: Recovery

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

It’s not
  that I’m doing this
 on purpose.

I promise.

I want to be free
  of this nightmare
no more weights tied
   around my mind.

I’m sorry that
  sometimes
 I get it wrong.
I’m trying.

And I’m sorry
 that I say I’m sorry
more than I say
  I love you.

Rebecca Milton is an author from Kent, England who is currently working with editors to prepare her debut novel for self-publication. She has recently been featured as a poet in Snapdragon Journal.

JOHN SHEIRER: Santa Nears Retirement

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

My neighbor told me that her son, Charlie, saw Santa at the mall the other day. Charlie asked Santa to get him a TIE Fighter from Star Wars for Christmas. Santa roared with approval and promised to get Charlie not only a typewriter, but some paper for it as well.

John Sheirer is the author of several books for adults and children. His most recent is a counting book called, Tim-Buck-Ten, featuring photos of his canine coauthor, Libby. Find John at johnsheirer.com.

LL MADRID: Revenge: Best Gifted

Amusing, Submissions, , , , ,

Abandoned in the easy chair once again, Norma fumed. Her children gossiped in the kitchen. They didn’t want to be overheard saying anything that might upset her.

Norma sniffed. She was ninety, not nine.

Reclining, she chuckled softly and plotted her revenge.

She’d knit them all scratchy socks for Christmas.

L.L. Madrid could use some new socks.

KIMBERLY EDWARDS: The Weight

Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, Touching, , ,

The first time I picked it up, the blade felt light in my hand. The relief came quickly. Over the next sixteen years, it would become my comfort, my consolation, my cure.

When I finally put the blade down, I realized it was the heaviest thing that I’d ever held.

Kimberly had spent many years in treatment and is currently celebrating three years in recovery from self-injury. Kimberly’s goal is to help others overcome the stigma associated with self-injury so they can get help they need to put the blade down, too. She is currently working as a Peer Specialist at Access: Supports for Living.