Poetry
Introduction to Issue 36 Poetry by John C. Mannone
First, I want to acknowledge the 2017 Pushcart nominees (listed in order of appearance). It is with great pleasure that we tell the world of your contribution: Burgess Needle “The woman from the end of the paved road” (Issue 33, May 2017) https://liquidimagination.silverpen.org/article/woman-end-paved-road-burgess-needle/ Ann Thornfield-Long “Keeping Room” (Issue 34, August 2017) Keeping Room by Ann [...]
Poetry
Desiring the Earth by Margarita Serafimova
Narrated by Margarita Serafimova The mountain, full of pines, deer and snow, is empty. White blazes are pouring from branches. In the emptiness, vines are breathing, wind is living. The fine is itself. Dark wild junipers are rustling, green eyes are passing. Black neighing, black clatter of a hound. Grass and a [...]
Poetry
There are Still Dragons in London, Saint George by Dawn Vogel
Narrated by Dawn Vogel They breathe. They wend their way through the bowels of the city and breathe. It is all they are allowed to do. Their days of ruling the land through the fear are long gone. Their fires have been turned inward to fuel their flight, no longer blaze across the skies. When [...]
Poetry
Narrated by Marie Vibbert Hazel falters; she misses paper children and her wooden leg spindles in her railing—aging point that is dagger-formed like hands. She leans into herself, curls eaves for warmth and prays with open-shuttered doors. Rust-lock slides ruby wood so cold so old the hinge, jimmy it. You lift her from her threshold [...]
Poetry
Passing Words by Phil Capitano
Narrated by Phil Capitano Do you remember when I was six? So full of energy and dreams. You said, “Go to school and fill your head with books and your heart with prayer.” So I did. And that worked for a while. Until I was sixteen and looking for my way, so full of [...]
Poetry
Cinnamon Coffin by Vanessa Kittle
The sky is dead white fading to gray, wet black branches draped across like old hands clasped on a chest. I am inside where light is soft, orange. I’m making apple pie and spiced cider–smiling at the emptiness outside, somehow more alive as the world goes to sleep. BIO: Vanessa Kittle is a former chef [...]
Poetry
1 Narrated by Chandan Dey Dark and dim even in daytime the forest is thick and dense The proud moon sets down on the gray crown of the hill yet fails to sparkle the stream An owl sitting in the canopy watches people’s movement A yellow leaf drifts down to the forest floor silently [...]
Flash
It Can Happen Here by Michael W. Cho
Ruth clocked out after eight hours on the riveter, and left the factory as horns on poles blared: “Watch for saboteurs. It can happen here!”
Flash
Her slush-white dress matches her pale, lifeless, skin. She clutches a bouquet of yellow roses in her hands.
Flash
For three years, no winter came to the pine forest. The boy was not expecting that, but he had not expected to fall through the glass globe, either
Fiction
The Reversing Mirror by Erin Cole
The teeth of another morning sank into Jenny’s thoughts and shook them side-to-side like a dog with a new chew shoe.
Fiction
Priest & the Inkdrinker by Lucia Iglesias
I need to unwind my brain. I want to drop it from a third story balcony and watch it unspool until I hold a single strand of neurons.
Fiction
Buried Treasure by Markus Eckstein
“On guard!” I raise my hands over my head. The cold breeze finds its way under my jacket and gives me goosebumps.
Fiction
President Buchanan Visited by Guilty Dreams by Douglas Kolacki
Today I have a most curious entry to make–my dream of last night. Thunderation! Now I know all the agitation of late is getting to me.
Fiction
Manuscript Found in a Bottle by Michael Washburn
We’d spent weeks cleaning out the island, and no one doubted our friends would come to rescue us any minute now.