Mama Says – by Finnian Burnett

Wedge your keys between second and first finger, Mama says,
with a thumb pressed against the back of the key.

Human Parcels – by Fiona Clark

Hidden in my right shoe’s hollow heel, a gold watch ticks.

Beneath my under-bodice, neatly stitched, my mother’s

turquoise ring. The water in the harbour coils, black ink

Capo D’Orlando – by Shaun Bernier

She wishes she hadn’t said they could walk alone while she dressed. They still have not reappeared.

A Bump in the Road – by Susan Duffield-Lodge

Moirin’s kerchiefed head bobbed up into view as she made her way up the metal stairs at the front of the car.

Razor Blades Sheathed in Velvet – by Zelda C. Thorne

Eleven voice messages. The first three are garbled, vicious insults interspersed with begrudging apology and admissions of profound, earth-shattering love. Nathan’s voice cracks, wounded.

Road(kill) Trip – by Lindsey Harrington

I’ve hummed every song I can think of, twice, and almost chewed myself a new haircut.

Shadows – by Véronique Béquin

You didn’t say a word about whether she knew that I was the eye behind the viewfinder.

Four Siblings On a Rock – by Elizabeth Jannuzzi

Three Girls On a Stone Wall Four Siblings On a Rock – by Elizabeth Jannuzzi Photo: “Entre Nous” Credit: Willabel Cole Mitchell Description: We see the backs of three young girls. Ages maybe 6 or 7. They are sitting on a stone wall overlooking a landscape. They wear sweet little girl dresses and have their […]

Hiraeth – by Rhonda E Carper

With her right hand at one o’clock on the steering wheel and left hand deep into a one-pound bag of Mister Bee potato chips, Aunt Mary Jo remarked, “We’ll just keep going until we get there.”

What Will You Say? – by Andrew Shaughnessy

Should warmth be a word reserved to the world of touch? Laughter

and joy, reserved to the world of emotion?