Wouldn’t it be dandy if this season were a 21st century version of the Summer of Love, but more inclined toward the civil rights movement? An uprising of all ages—of every identity!—leading a powerful return to our generations-long quest for liberty and justice for all; for diversity, equity and inclusion; for a moral commitment to […]
By Alyssa Curcio Crisply folded sheets,strange faces—the warm bite of Cognacagainst my teeth at the hotel bar—I must admit,it is all rather romantic.I’ve been sent to California(the client needs us!)and I’ve left my life,excuse me, my wife,at home. I might just understand,as I kiss a cigaretteon the balcony of my hotel room,why The Men fought […]
By Robert Delilah That morning, something jammed the automatic sweeper. Every hour—on the hour—the sweeper pushed the cowshit that matriculated from the pens above to the waiting troughs just beneath the barn floor. Thanks to the sweeper, the sludge would be shunted off into the pit-like tank beneath it all, instead of rising through the […]
By Ashley Dryden I saw her today, the next-door neighbor’s goldfish. They keep her in a shabby, old pond in their backyard where the lawn meets the patio. I watch her swim around the lily pads from my second-floor bedroom window, every splash of her tail makes ripples along the surface of the water. The […]
By Ellen Girardeau Kempler Flying camouflagedafter nightfall, Harriet Tubmanmimicked the barred owl’s call,signaling safety to fugitivesshadowed in darkness,transmitting hope likea firefly in the forest. It’s no wondershe chose to travel on Sunday—the master’s day of rest—when no press would postwanted notices for runaways. Following the North Star, she listenedfor God’s guiding voice, led followersthrough Maryland […]
By Rebecca Havens She is dancing by the entrance. Graceful, slow-then-fast; even Helen can neither compete nor look away. Drinking in the shadows, I imagine all the shapes violence comes in, collectively stomping her meat into the pavement. I am one with the darkness—but I swear, I can see each layer of skin even through […]
By Dotty LeMieux A woman adjusts the flags lining the stagejust so, as if perfectly draped flagscan protect us from the ignominyof the next four years. On stage, the flags wiltdespite folding, tucking,crimping. A young man in the crowd raiseshis iPhone high above his head,its flashlight beaming out.With his other hand he holdsa plastic water […]
By Ryan McCarty Honesty may no longer be the bestpolicy, depending on who’s asking.And sometimes accepting a ridefrom strangers is the safest way home.Do not secure your own maskbefore helping children or others. Listen to your body, though.Carrying heavy weight at arm’s lengthcan stagger you. Bent knees alonewill not be enough to do all the lifting.Hold […]
By Lauren Oertel We see stars in their eyes—the legal technicalityallows them to imagine voting for the first time. Then the stars fadelike the overwashedthick stripes on their shirts. Heavy doors buzz, razor wire-topped pathwayssnake between buildings. Guards mutter Make America Great Againwhen they see our clipboards and registration forms. It’s the shower shoes—thin, terracotta-colored,plastic […]
By Linda Parsons I’m bleeding I’m bleeding on the sheet and pillow notmy monthlies so many moons gone. On the sheet a red thread unraveledin sleep stain hardened to rub and soap. I bleedlike a girl the coldest winter I’ve known splits skin streaksmy pillow sheet pulled to my chin. I’m bleedingfor my daughters and granddaughters soft bodies sold in the marketplace the coldest coin I’ve […]
By Lao Rubert –for the Right Reverends Mariann Budde, Anne Hodges-Copple and Scott Benhase Before dawn she packs her briefcaseswivels its four gliding, revolving wheelsand marches through the doorin puffy down, long underwearbeneath her slacks. Garment bagslung over her shoulder. Snow bootsgrip black ice as she clicksthe car door open, slides in.She arrives early, in […]
By Fendy Satria Tulodo I was twelve when I figured out the world had already decided what to call me. Not the name Ma whispered soft as a prayer when I was born. Not the one my teachers read off the roll sheet. Not even the one my little brother mumbled when he had bad […]
By Phyllis Wax This timewill it be an arkor a spaceshipwhen God decidesto cleanse the earth? When rising oceanssubmerge the coasts and fire, flood and windravage the rest, when wars and wickednessare rampant, when compassioncollides with greed who will gather their loved onesto climb aboard— the righteous or the rich? Phyllis Wax writes on a bluff overlooking […]
By Lauren Withrow Lauren Withrow is an autistic disability advocate, mother of two autistic children, diverse writer, TikTok creator (@thegirlbehindthe_mask_), and Lead Registered Behavior Technician. Her poetic writing explores themes of autism, identity, love, and justice drawn from personal and professional experience. A note from Writers ResistThank you for reading! If you appreciate creative resistance and […]
“He who destroys a good book kills reason itself.” – Milton By Matthew Sam Prendergast Read to a creative writing class on August 29, 2024: As you all obviously know, I teach creative writing. But I also teach those pesky Gen Ed composition classes you have to take. I have recently been instructed by the […]
