“Wrong Crowd” by Ethan Sheehan (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016 Bradley had never wanted to get mixed in with that crowd. But it seemed beyond his control. His best friend, Alex, had started hanging out with them, so Bradley went along with it. It wasn’t that bad at first. Drinking or smoking; it didn’t hurt anybody. But then the crimes… Continue Reading
“Vive la Révolution” by Timothy Stobierski (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016 II was born under the lion as he commingled with the snake, but conceived when the dragon pillaged the great scales of their gold. “Who am I?” were my first words; they passed by unanswered. III heard the words of God as a child, but He has grown silent. The… Continue Reading
“The Child of Shalott” by Katie Scibelli (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016 This carnival rests in a field of flowers. Hear the innocent laughter Her song echoes through you. She waves her hand, Palms dive in and out of air currents. She is a fairy granting wishes. Her crimson hair falls on young shoulders Unkempt after a day of enjoyment. Slow horses… Continue Reading
“Penance” by Lillian R. Handleman (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016 The paunching of Dan’s belly that once sported lean muscle exposed a doughy adipose mass protruding from just above his belt. One could say his belly was a monument to all the fallen heroes of love gone wrong—those weary soldiers adrift in marital limbo who seek comfort in swigs of… Continue Reading
“Most Friends Ever” by Linda Courtland (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016 “We’ve identified you as the person with the fewest friends on Facebook,” the email said. “But don’t worry, help is on the way.” It was high school all over again, and I was being cyber-bullied by a social networking site for not being one of the cool kids. I typed… Continue Reading
“Disappearing Act” by Juliana Flynn (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016 The cat was gone. He lied and said he didn’t care because he held a deep conviction that his words could take shape into honest sentiments, if only he gave them the slightest push. This was most simply not the case. He had locked the thing in the bathroom (to… Continue Reading
“Cupcake Girl” by Sierra Ryan (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016February 7, 2016 She is a cupcake of a woman, poured into the ruffled sheath of her bathing suit. What she wears is a bathing suit, it’s too polka dot cute to be swimsuit. Bathing suits are for Bathing Beauties, the antiquated glamour of pudgy poise. Her hair is pinned into fat black… Continue Reading
What I’ve Learned from Handling Criticism (and Nice Words on How Some Famous People Handle it Too) By Emily Catenzaro LRR, February 5, 2016February 8, 2025 We’ve heard it all before: with writing comes criticism. But until you experience those first rejection letters (or a 2,000 word letter from a reader detailing nearly everything wrong with your story), it’s hard to predict exactly how you’re going to handle criticism. Actually, it’s hard for anyone to know… Continue Reading
Looking Into the Mystique of Betty Friedan by Allison McLellan LRR, February 4, 2016February 8, 2025 “I never set out to write a book to change women’s lives, to change history. It’s like, ‘Who, me?’ Yes, me. I did it. And I’m not that different from other women.… Maybe my power and glory was that I could speak my truth as a woman and it was… Continue Reading
Remembering James Joyce by Carleton Whaley LRR, February 2, 2016February 8, 2025 “Poetry, even when apparently most fantastic, is always a revolt against artifice, a revolt, in a sense, against actuality.” — James Joyce, “James Clarence Mangan,” A lecture on the poet given at the Literary and Historical Society of the University of Dublin. A man of complexities and contradictions, James Joyce… Continue Reading