Category: 9th Edition
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The WAFE
The WAFE Courtney Thomas St Patrick’s Day, Dublin, Ireland 2001 Erskine’s daughter had been killed just a few hours earlier. The killers, Culkin and Desmond, were Erskine’s old mates. The three blokes had served in the Irish Military together and had even been ushers — (groomsmen as those Americans called it)—in each others’ weddings, but…
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Love Through the Ages
Love Through the Ages Marissa Bylo Love was… a tangible thing in elementary school; the special holographic Valentine’s Day card she selected just for him; how they held hands under the table like secret lovers in rebellion of the prude lunch ladies’ rules; their forbidden conversations on Neopets.com. Love was bold, disobedient. He smooched her…
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Consuming Words
Consuming Words Isabel Manu I wish. I wish I possessed catastrophic words Dangerously malignantly unsparingly piercing words I wish my mouth poured with them deliciously Or spat them out viscously Killer words who are so maliciously running out of my mouth in their infantries I wish we possessed them. Words pungent with havoc Exploding, Erupting,…
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Straw Man
Straw Man Kristine Wagner You have made me a straw man, Interpreting all my silences for bitterness, Stuffing my head with opinions not my own. When I tried to speak my own thoughts You sewed up my mouth and would not listen. You stitched on a pair of shiny button eyes, Calling me unperceiving in…
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The Ones Who Disappeared
The Ones Who Disappeared Kristine Wagner The sheer size of the entryway astounded Noelle as she stepped through the door. She gripped her little brother’s hand tight as she stepped from the threshold, sinking deeply into the Persian rug. So this was the house they were going to tour, although no one seemed to have…
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Of Mice and Mendel
Of Mice and Mendel Kristine Wagner “My scientific studies have afforded me great gratification; and I am convinced that it will not be long before the whole world acknowledges the results of my works.” Gregor Mendel There are those few and fearsome teachers who are determined that their lessons will not be forgotten. Instead…
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Fairy Flowers
Fairy Flowers Kristine Wagner Every morning I walked down to give water To the chickens and the ducks, A bucket half my weight in one hand My other arm stretched out for balance. That is when I saw the fairy flowers. They were shorter than the grass, Their blooms no larger than my thumbnail…
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Hold On
Hold On Karina Mehmert I know it’s getting harder Harder to hold on But no one knows that better Than those who’ve loved you all along It’s hard to see you like this Especially when I can do nothing But I know you can get through this Please keep trying If you won’t try for…
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Reaching the Shore
Reaching the Shore Karina Mehmet I don’t understand the phrase “battling depression” I can barely do anything let alone hold my own against a restless, unforgivable force I’m not battling I’m taking a beating Every day I feel wave after wave of doubt, anger, despair, hopelessness come crashing down on me And I’m drowning in…
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Dreams
Dreams Victoria Lane A young mind is infinite, Filled to the brim with Potential, possibilities, Dreams. You imagine what can happen in your life And what you desperately want for it to be, Until one day they tell you to “wake up,” To realize that this is real life- not a dream. And that burning…
Arrow Rock Literary Journal 