October, 2020

Two pieces by Yash Seyedbagheri

999 Happy Haunts

Mother dropped my cake, the word happy in chocolate ruins. She said she wouldn’t fail next year, eyed the half-empty champagne. So many next years.

Brooding In Burgundy

When Mom finally came back, she had me rearrange her room. Just like before, she said. There were always spaces, no matter how I tried.

Yash Seyedbagheri is a graduate of Colorado State University’s MFA program in fiction. A native of Idaho, Yash’s work is forthcoming or has been published in WestWard Quarterly, Café Lit, and Ariel Chart, among others. 

Pearl of Wisdom by Alexandra Paskhaver

Straight back. Chin up. Smile. She marches to the altar and says the words. Two countries sealed by marriage. Her eyes burn with bitter tears.

Alexandra Paskhaver thinks, therefore she is.

Don’t Be Spotted by Suzanne Cottrell

We donned our urban cameo costumes for a Halloween city block party.  Then screamed and ran when artist, resembling Liu Bolin, emerged from a mural.

Suzanne Cottrell lives with her husband and two rescued dogs in rural Piedmont North Carolina.  An outdoor enthusiast and retired teacher, she enjoys reading, writing, knitting, hiking, Pilates, Tai Chi and yoga.  Her flash fiction has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, including Inwood Indiana Press anthologies, Dragon Poet Review, Dual Coast Magazine, Flash Fiction Magazine, and Nailpolish Stories, A Tiny and Colorful Literary Journal.  She continues to enjoy her writing journey.

Three pieces by Tyrean Martinson

Sundays

Red sun rising in a smoke-hazed world.
We stop our trek. Lift hands. Pray for clear skies.
We see hints of blue sky and rejoice.

Fearless

I climb the cliff’s back. 
At the top, my family’s laughter mingles as they leap into glimmering water. 
I breathe in, jump. Stifle my scream.

Topless and Barefoot

Car: Topless.
Toes: Bare.
Time: Sunset.
I drive the shimmering dark country roads into the blue-black night.
Someday: I will see you again, my love.

Tyrean Martinson has words in her soul, in the marrow of her bones. She can’t stop writing, and won’t. Currently, she is at work on a sci-fi novella series, a fantasy novel, and a mish-mash of short works. 

Space Replacement by Alicia Yau

“Approaching destination. Rockets off.” 

“Done.” 

 “Red button!” 

 “What?” 

 “Fired!” Clapped.  

 “Sorry…” Pressed.  

“Not you. The space debris!” 

 “But…” 

  “What?” 

  “I pressed your red eject button.”

Alicia loves to read and write fiction and science fiction. She has publihed in 365tomorrows.  

Foil Blast by Anita Khabiya

I kept saying it’s ok, kept adjusting; balanced acts only for others.  One fine day there was a blast over the rooftop. And everything changed.

Anita Khabiya from India is a Chemical Engineer by academics and a trained Montessori Directress by heart running a Montessori House of children from a decade. She expresses best through words and ends up impressing others with her food.

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