“Wild Eyes” by Bryan Schreber (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016March 16, 2016 Gold shines; illuminated under the setting sun. Artificial lights flicker, giving birth to the night. Terrifying smiles giving life to inanimate faces. Wide, wild eyes staring. Creatures dancing; spiraling towards infinity. Children ensnared by dream fulfillment. Petite fingers clutching the faces of tiny monsters. Continue Reading
“Too Old” by Patricia Haggard (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016June 16, 2017 Fifteen is too old to ride a merry-go-round, too old for this twirling coffee-painted pony to take me back to last June, to the machine that spins dizzying circles, as I stand at the head of my friend’s hospital bed, holding her swollen, peeling hand. The whoosh of the machine… Continue Reading
“Summer Long Gone” by Linda Drake (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016 We were sun-baked and freckled in our halter tops and shorts. Salty from swimming the day away. Full of energy after corn-on-the cob and BLT’s. Eager to ride the merry-go-round at Sound View. Joking about who would catch the unreachable golden ring. Giddy as Grandpa bought us glazed doughnuts for… Continue Reading
“Merry Go Round” by MaryLynn Haggard (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016 I play on the merry-go-round as the fire on the round ball sets. It gleams and glows pink and red. It looks like a pretty rainbow. Thunder, my horse, is attached to the glowing Merry-go-Round. Through the clouds I see lots of diamonds. They are so sparkly and clear. The… Continue Reading
“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