BAD NEWS GOOD NEWS by Ahimaz Ponrasa
Bad news is prose allows only so much empty space. Good news is poetry allows lots and lots of breathing space.
FALSE PROPHET by Brett Willis
About five minutes after merging onto I-95 south, Karl’s mattress flew from the car’s roof. This was despite Tom’s best efforts; he had found a ball of twine in the back of Karl’s ex-girlfriend’s closet and managed a couple of extra loops around. Before its departure, the mattress had flopped on the roof like some overzealous wrestler. As, in the rearview mirror, Karl’s mattress frisbeed over the shoulder, Tom felt the stinging heat of resentment rise at the base of his throat. Once again, Karl would need someone else to help him out of a jam of his own making….
EATS LIKE A BEAR by Nathan Willis
The bear looks up the school the baby will one day attend and leaves messages for the administrator, asking how soon is too soon to start the admissions process.
HOW I GOT HERE by Emily Behnke
Up there, euphoria is brewing, and I decide it’s just for me.
THE CHILDREN’S CRUSADE by Ben Dreith
Death makes us horny! And I’m trying to see if all the cumming affects my fever.
CLOSE ONE by Matt Barrett
He said he knew the best way to escape. He wouldn’t just sit back as the cops put handcuffs on their wrists.
THE ELIMINATION DIET by Alexandra Wuest
Her older sister Kathleen is on the clams casino diet. Her younger sister Nina is on the tap dance diet. Each sister thinks the others are crazy for eating the way they do and each sister says so.
DADS ON DECK by Garrett Stack
Cal gazes up in adoration, face illuminated in the glow of outdated technology, and tears stream down his face.
BIG GULP by Catherine Chiarella Domonkos
You hook up with Danny in a boys’ room stall after rock band practice the day he tells you when you hold the mike close to your lips it’s like you’re going down on it.
CLUCK LIKE A CHICKEN by Sonia Alejandra Rodríguez
If this wasn’t serious business, you’d laugh your butt off because it looks like the chicken is wearing lipstick and the shine on its feathers makes you think of gel on jet black hair.