Tag Archives: poverty

DAVID C PORTER: Old Pine

Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

Two men crouched under an old pine, waiting for the rain to pass. Its needles drawn together, the pine became a shelter for them. Down below, by the river, an old ghost wrapped itself in newspapers. On every page the same story was printed. On every page were different words.

David C. Porter is a writer and photographer from the American northeast. He edits Keep Planning, and writes Garden Scenery. His work has also appeared in various other places. His first novel, NTTN, is available now from Organ Bank Industries. He can be reached on Twitter at @toomuchistrue or via his website, davidcporter.net.

YASH SEYEDBAGHERI: Contents of A Knockoff Life

Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

On the list, knockoff sour cream and onion chips that taste like cardboard, unlike Lays. Cheap sardines, knockoff Diet Pepsi. Store-brand beans. A glance at fish filets and steaks that radiate raw beauty. A hunt through my wallet, through every pocket, only to produce that same twenty, ripped and crumpled.

Yash Seyedbagheri is a graduate of Colorado State University’s MFA fiction program. His stories, “Soon,” “How To Be A Good Episcopalian,” “Tales From A Communion Line,” and “Community Time,” have been nominated for Pushcart Prizes. His work has been published in SmokeLong Quarterly, The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts, and Ariel Chart, among others.

DG BRACEY: Guilty Stew Drips from Innocent Mouths

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

Down two devils dropped, under sleeping streets, conjuring the hopeless and unhoused. Their songs echo like flutes bouncing off breathing trees. Two by two the hopeless drop down through quick mud to tunnels, endless in circling knots, all leading to one lost doorstep, four opened arms, fire lashing out welcomes.

DG Bracey is a teacher and a freelance writer from the Carolina coast. He’s picked up degrees from the University of South Carolina, Coastal Carolina University, and the University of North Carolina – Wilmington. He’s published short stories in various journals and been a feature writer for newspapers.

TERESA FAIRWEATHER: A Slice of Life

Submissions, Touching, , , , ,

I’d worked in the café man and boy. All that time Maggie came in, 9 every morning.

“Grilled ‘am an’ cheese, a bit o’ mustard an’ a nice ‘ot cuppa’. Pay yer tomorra’.”

Then she didn’t come any more. The wake served grilled ham and cheese. Mornings weren’t the same.

Teresa lives in Suffolk UK between land and sea and has always liked telling stories. Finding time to write is hard but she’s trying.

NATALIE NEE: Fly Away

Submissions, Touching, , ,

A weathered dog sniffs a discarded cigarette, now only a filter. His stomach probably growls like mine. If I had any, I’d share my food with him.

Overhead, a plane roars. Its metal glare temporarily blinds me from reality. For a few hopeful seconds, I imagine I’m flying away, too.

Natalie Nee is a bibliophile, graduate of Colorado State University, former ghostwriter, and latte enthusiast. Her debut novel, a domestic thriller, is currently out on submission. Natalie’s short story, “Saudade”, was published by the webzine, Across the Margin. Her other poems have been published by Roi Fainéant Press, Half and One, and other literary magazines. She’s cooler on Twitter (@NovelNatalie).

CHERYL SNELL: Sale

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

The day is drowning, and we’re still haggling. There is a woman at the window, crying, her mouth an anguished square. We pretend not to notice. We carry away the jewelry box inscribed with two pairs of initials and the words “Always and Forever.” Her treasure is our bargain now.

Cheryl Snell’s books include poetry and fiction.

CAROL CARMAN: Protein-Rich

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

After spending hours in pursuit of food, Erich proudly returns with the meat, which Herta boils in water. The white, wriggling maggots float to the top, and she ladles them out, not disclosing their presence to her family.

Post-WWII, they desperately need protein-rich food to silence their nagging hunger pangs.

Carol is a retired telecom engineer, who enjoys discovering her writing talents in Albany, NY.

THOMAS FALATER: Homeless

Artistic, Submissions, ,

I checked the aisle for cameras and slipped bologna and cheese under my jacket. On the way out, the manager looked at me suspiciously but didn’t stop me.

The next day, she saw me at the bus stop and gave me five dollars.

Funny me; I thought I was invisible.

Tom is a freelance writer from Southern California. His most recent work appeared in Half Hour to Kill and Three Line Poetry.

YASH SEYEDBAGHERI: Tastes

Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

He watches neighbors waddle out of the market, carrying Coors, steaks, and veggies. It beats his fridge with one onion. A half-empty case of sardines. He imagines the next paycheck, the sweetness of an orange. The crunch of a carrot. Even the coolness of beer. But good things go fast.

Yash Seyedbagheri is a graduate of Colorado State University’s MFA fiction program. His stories “Soon,” “How To Be A Good Episcopalian,” “Tales From A Communion Line,” and “Community Time,” have been nominated for Pushcarts. Yash’s work has been published in SmokeLong Quarterly, The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts, Write City Magazine, and Ariel Chart, among others.

LISA MARIE LOPEZ: The Place They Called Home

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

Smells of dinner float out from the trailer parked behind Safeway. Music and voices sound. On a patch of green grass, a child plays, counting daisies. Inside, her parents count crinkly dollars; hoping there’s enough for paper towels, Cheerio’s, a battery-operated desk fan to get them through summer.

Lisa Marie Lopez has been published in a variety of literary journals and venues including Blink-Ink and The Ocotillo Review. She loves coffee, quiet walks, and animals.