Issue #27
Beyond Life by Lynn Mundell

Despite seeing your empty hospital bed, writing your lengthy obituary, donating your emptied Levi’s, stuffing the jumbo plastic bag of your heart meds into the police department drop-box;

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Walking Home by River Kozhar

Walking home as a child was an experience in shifting realities. It was like the moment in a fairy tale where the heroine rides through a forest that changes into a magical wood, riding from light to darkness, and from summer to an unnatural winter.

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After by Claudia Monpere

and after and after and nothing changes, just the names of the children. This one drew birds wearing hats. That one had an orange juice popsicle for an imaginary friend.

Mom’s new boyfriend is a liver fluke by Cole Beauchamp

He attached quickly (can I buy you a drink, let’s hook up, sure I’ll meet your kid), slid into our house unnoticed (toothbrush here, pair of socks there) and two months on, here we are, host and Fasiola Herpatica.

Pet Shop Boys by Tim Craig

Dayne’s on-off-off-on stepdad, Kel, says stay away from that new pet shop.

Blue-naped Parrots See More Than They Say by Judy Darley

I date Brodie while I’m visiting Seattle. He shares a draughty old house with a bunch of roommates, including a blue-naped parrot who lives in a big cage looking out at a treehouse.

Rosetta Post-its by Guy Biederman

Los Gatos Tienen Hambre, says the post-it on the fridge. Since when did the cats learn Spanish, since when did they learn to write? The same could be asked of you, says another post-it.