To Live In The Borderlands ~ Clio Roker

Apr 27, 2023 | Poetry

“To live in the borderlands means you are neither hispana india negra espanola, ni gabacha, eres mestiza, mulata, half-breed, caught in the crossfire between camps, while carrying all five races on your back, not knowing which side to turn to, run from…” – Gloria...

“Ville de l’amour” ~ Colby Kloehr

Apr 27, 2023 | Poetry, Translation

Editor’s Note This poem was submitted in response to our 2023 translation initiative.  “Ville de l’amour” Mais le prêteur sur gages près de la Tour Eiffel est toujours en activité Florissant. “City of love” but the pawn shop near...

Drinking Rain ~ Sofia Rosenbaum

Apr 27, 2023 | Poetry

The water wells over And makes a mess I get soaked all over, And I mean All over Every layer of clothes and skin – My dress, my neck, my nail-beds – Are kissed by little droplets, and The world smells like moss And peaches And a campfire.   Mom yells at me to...

Discount ~ Josh Reiff

Apr 27, 2023 | Poetry

There’s a discount at the store today. For the next 24 hours, meaning is for sale. Buy something big enough to crawl inside of and soothe your agoraphobic existence. Wait in the traffic, wait in line, and tell yourself that you’ve spent your life waiting for something...

Swallow the Burden ~ Ashley Person

Apr 27, 2023 | Poetry

We sit in rooms painted pastel pink, wait for the creak of the sleek door to release intermittent shrieks and howls from newborn babies – screams shrill enough to break faces of the never-to-be mothers-to-be.   We stare at fluorescent lights, cold metal glides...

Liquor Store ~ Carter Cavaliere

Apr 27, 2023 | Poetry

I sent you into the liquor store And on every shelf you found Me pining, needing, clawing for an Absolut only a man, Shoulders wide with contentment, Could bring a gay boy who came From nothing and may very well stay there.   I once had dreams Of marrying an old...