JordanBlum87
Jose Romero – Perceptions
Perceptions Believe me, nobody wants to be loved. What good lies in the isolated knowledge of one who loves, one who finds himself in love? ……………………What good is it to me that you ……………………love me? The truth is irrelevant when it comes to individuals. ……………………What a useless thing—to be loved. But to feel it, ah! […]
A.J. Huffman – Meditations on the Half Shell
Meditations on the Half Shell A Haiku String Waves leave me stranded My body recalls the pull of salty siren I echo remorse My shell an amplifier of solitude The sun rises My body warms to resolve accepts stasis Hours tick like time bombs Metronomic visions of feet and feathers Owning neither I sink further […]
Robin Vigfusson – My Brother, Steve
My Brother, Steve Steve looks rested, has all his teeth and his shirt is immaculate; you would never in a million years think this guy was on welfare. He’s my brother and we meet once a year for my birthday treat at the restaurant of his choice. This year, he’s chosen Olive Garden. Aside from […]
K. M. Gibb – Something Horrible In Need of Killing
Something Horrible In Need of Killing The three older boys hanging out behind our school said that they’d killed a rabid dog at the abandoned air force base. “We slashed at him until I got him in the stomach,” one of them said. “Did he bleed out?” I asked, trying to sound cool. “No. He […]
James Mulhern – A Nun’s Arse
A Nun’s Arse “What a shame,” Nonna said when I arrived at her place after working at the family restaurant. “Mary Muldoon just called. Drunk as a skunk, asking if I knew where her husband Jim was and quite annoyed at the Happy Garden Chinese Restaurant. Said they were sending her pork fried rice and […]
Victoria Griffin – Thorns
Thorns If he had been sitting on a lazy cloud, looking down at the world, it might almost have looked nice. The patchwork of rice paddies could have been a green quilt thrown over the earth. Henry’s rifle hung heavily from his shoulder, and silently he wept—knowing that I could not weep aloud. Guns and […]
Timothy O’Leary – The Tower
The Tower Barry hated cell phones. He shuddered when trapped in a crowd, people yacking at maximum decibel, as if everyone within earshot was buzzed to hear about dysfunctional families or drunken golf outings. He detested camera phones, users blocking sidewalks, or rudely delaying meals to photograph the perfect tuna melt. He considered “selfies” an […]
Daniel Finkel – The Salesman
The Salesman A man comes to town. He wears spit-shined shoes and a lime-green coat. His hair is all slicked, and there’s a pack on his shoulders. He looks bright and flashy, like a light bulb. I see him walking down the road, the noon sun sizzling on his head, with his feet raising little […]
Jose Romero – blueRed
blueRed Oh, but the physicality of my thinking is chaotic. Outside of my apartment someone is walking up the stairs. I sometimes walk up those stairs and stumble. But I wasn’t always like this. Nonono. I’m gonna write the letter. […]
The Bookends Review 
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