Verbatim 7/12

Identity First

By ANONYMOUS, October 18, 2021 I am autistic. Not a “person with autism” for it is not something I own, it is me. I have been a social...

Little Black Hands

By STEVIE KILGORE - October 7, 2021 Even through the thick smoke of cigars, Jean knew she drew everyone’s attention. Perhaps it was her...

No Guidance

by KAELYN POSTON September 28, 2021 Friends in tears from endless slander, What did they do to deserve this banter? Memories haunting,...

The In-Between-Place

By STEVIE KILGORE, September 21, 2021 It always felt damp in the putt-putt lobby. Not in a chilling or quietly ominous sense, but a...

Graffiti Steel Train

by DREW COLLINS - September 14, 2021 Traveling, an endless fixture awaiting tracks not there— not all junctions need courses, but her...

blanket-town

by ALLIE BEENE - September 1, 2021 I gaze upon the patchwork quilt of land below me. squares and rectangles of soybeans, corn, and wheat,...

Nearing Midnight

by JC HOWARD - August 30, 2021 The time read 5:27 when Joseph pulled into his circular gravel driveway after a long day of working at...

I held a vase

by GABE ANDERSON - August 30, 2021 I held a vase. A vase with a complex design. I analyzed its colors. I analyzed its lines. I ran my...

the relationship between a girl & her reflection

by ALLIE BEENE - August 22, 2021 I always encounter her at my worst when we’re all we have. she’s more splintered than I realize once our...

TV Bees

by HALEY HAMILTON - April 30, 2021 Clothes scattered Food smashed into the carpet Dishes days old How can someone live this way? Days...

Outstretched Wings

by ISSAC MINDER - April 30, 2021 Like a safe haven in the middle of a storm, He made it easy to love him. The smell of his trademark...

the axe

by STEVIE KILGORE - April 30, 2021 Debbie’s knees were one more victim of faded scars from gravel sidewalks And although she was old and...

Shower Thoughts

by STEPHANIE VON BULOW - March 31, 2021 Steamy, hot water trickles down, caresses the skin with a burn. It drips down the nose, follows...

How a Plant Grows

March 31, 2021 When you gave me a small plant I didn’t know what to expect of it How it would grow, how tall or how fast How strong the...

a boy named pigeon

by SYDNEY CHURCH - March 31, 2021 wings on my back like the weight of the whole world wings i cannot use because they no longer can fly...

Blanket

by ALEX NORRIS - March 31, 2021 My childhood is like a blanket So soft, and so comforting It served as shelter, as a place to run back to...

Dancing Under The Stars

by MAIRIN WASSON and ELLA NICHOLSON - February 12, 2021 Colorful lights and lively music surround me as I walk alongside the crowds...

The Search

by GABE ANDERSON - February 12, 2021 You gave me sunshine while I felt the rain. You moved mountains to help ease my pain. But how can I...

Lone Star State

by STEVIE KILGORE - February 12, 2021 I saw you at Lowe’s. At least, I thought I saw you. She was the same age and she had the same eyes...

Falter

by CARA MCMILLEN - February 12, 2021 One step in, the room is cold, the atmosphere aids demoralization, alludes to degradation. Four...