Category: 13th Edition
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Conditions
It had been suppressed from the beginning. There was no platform on which such rage could stand, for it was larger than himself — larger than his tiny theater of the world. He could not even begin to fathom the size of the injustice, and so he left his rage to the winds of war…
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Christmas Dinner
BANG! I’ve been waiting for the phone to ring for the past two hours—it won’t. The last time I bored holes into the clock’s face as it evenly ticks about in my kitchen while it performs its simple life purpose, it was 5:30. BANG! I’ve never had a problem breaking down meat for dinner. The…
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Blackmail
No one made the slightest sound. Each one harbored their thoughts to themselves because of the immense terror that gnawed at them inside. The knowing glances that the four college classmates shared fed the agony that gripped that cabin on the shores of the lake, hidden among the larch trees. “No one is going to…
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The Years Do Not See Equal Growth
These days I’m realizing that The people I look up to and admire Are more often younger than me Than I used to find There were always others Outliers that hit stardom young And I thought that I would be one But I’m getting older And older It’s hard not to realize That they’re two…
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Arm Wrestling
My clock stopped a long time ago I wasn’t there when it happened And I didn’t notice what was wrong Until I watched the second hand Thrust itself forward Only to be pushed back by another invisible hand They must be arm wrestling A broken clock is still correct twice a day, but I never…
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The Protagonist
I don’t want to be Just another maiden Affixed somewhere In a man’s story I, too, Want the power, The adventures, And the glory Not Persephone, Eurydice, Medusa, Helen, or Demeter If my choice is between supporting actress And love interest, I choose neither I know the perils, The hardships, And the trials That may…
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I Know Why You Left
A cold spot in the room A light flickering off then on A little piece of you left in a place Where it doesn’t belong It feels like you’re still here But I know you weren’t here for long I know that once you were able, You insisted on pressing on You headed off into…
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Mondays
I was still heavy from the Benadryl. I tolerate the weight of waking up. Coffee does nothing for me anymore. Neither does cold water to the face or screaming the lyrics to America. All the f***ing creamer is going to spoil one of these days. I pour it out at night, like a lot of…
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The Shadow
Here I come, but with your permission. I don’t come alone. I come with my shadow, one that doesn’t leave me alone, since a long time ago. I don’t like her, but I can’t take her away from me. She says that she loves me but who loves you, doesn’t hurt you. I don’t want…
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The Tree
Written in memory of my late grandfather, Larry F. Dunlap Tall, strong, independent tree Bark covering the trunk stretched wide Sprouting from the head green leaves Bold branches emerge from side to side For me, the tree has always been there When in need, it gave me fresh air The tree was there when I…
Arrow Rock Literary Journal 