Break Ups

They were always together— Drawn like lovers On their sketch pads. And then they weren’t— Pencils upside down, Purging the past. They are never together anymore— Distinct masterpieces Drawn over the marks that would not erase.

Mollie Wiser’s Superpower

I think every kid wants a superpower of some kind. My brother and I did. He always wanted to be a flame-throwing, shape-shifting, flying robot-man. Me? I just wanted to be invisible. Little did I ever think it would become a reality for me. I remember the day I discovered my superpower clearly. It was […]

International Sestina

AFRICA Broad, baked wind plains, immense grass sprawl. Umbrella Thornes spreading shade, branches wide. Speed slaked cheetahs lick their spots beneath the tree, spying on gazelles grazing fearlessly in open light. Lazy sleep heat shimmers far like cooling waves before the leopard’s padded paws return, bringing night. EUROPE Rain drums on car roofs, wetting night. […]

Part 2–Awesome Choices

I informed my friends that I will become a dictator. They took it in stride. If by taking it in stride you mean snorting in derision. But they were judged. Turns out it’s hard to snort in derision while drinking pop. Apparently deciding to become an evil dictator is the easy part. There are no […]

Sonnet I

The earth’s bright glories fade to dark. Beyond— The greater view that daytime never saw: Tonight the drapes of heaven are pulled back To hush the lowly world in speechless awe. ‘Mid bowing grass and silent trees I pause, And cannot help but lift my eyes and gaze Across the endless miles of darkened space […]

Variable Chapter 4

Tara pulled into the parking space at Johnson’s Grocery and jumped out of her car, tossing her keys in her handbag and slamming the door. She had to hurry if she wanted to get home in time for the latest episode of Game Plan. That’s when she saw him—Jay-Jay across the street with his mom—and smiled […]

Race to Verdou Fountain Prt 2

“You want to what?!” “Listen, Krea, it’s because I really think he’s going to anyw—” Alston began. “So because you’re sure Quinn is going to do it anyway, you’re going to stop protesting and just help him? That’s how you keep your friend safe, by helping him plot his own death march?” “When you say […]

Crimson Reflection

Blood drips down and pools in little eddies— swirls of life. Warm. Metallic. Salty. Tarns of crimson cradled in stone. A cup to catch the ransom for our life. – – –

Hopes vs. Fears

Some hopes glow like bright balloons That lure you to the sky— They take you up to glorious heights Then pop, then drop, then die. And when you wake with muddy teeth And gravel in your eye, With hands and knees and elbows scraped, The pain will make you cry. Wipe those tear drops from […]

Psalm 121

To the tune of: “A Debtor to Mercy Alone” I’ll lift up my eyes to the hills. From where will my rescue arise? My help comes from Yahweh alone, the Maker of Earth and the skies. Don’t suffer my foot to be moved. Oh, Lord do not slumber or sleep! The Gaurd’ian of Israel […]