tell it to me all over again by Vanessa Maki the desire to fix us sways it reminds me of birds navigating strong winds where their wings can't flap right i devote myself & then you demote me to second best, second choice, a second-place prize what would you do if i twisted it? if i flipped you around so you would be in my position would you beg for another love confession? would i have you on your knees like i'm the one you pray to? tell me you love

"Whispering Strands" by Sulyn Godsey i'll make you nothing your mercy withered on the vine you'll hold me accountable for all your crimes, but i am not the type of bird you want to cross; i will claw out your eyes without remorse— you send out your nightmares, and your monsters; thinking you've got the upper hand but you don't see the light of my dreams or my love and how they'll both erase your names until they've become void— i will step out of the shadows of your swords, a

"I Dream of Elephants" art by Christine Stoddard forgiving mistakes i've made you spent so much time trying to cage me, trying to silence me; but i already allowed them to silence me once—wasn't going to lose my voice again to a man who sought to own me but never know me or love me, you loved my naked body but had no use for my naked soul; so i will not hold onto your bones any longer—i am dropping you in the creek where you can wash away forever, all your contempt and your s

"Spout" by Stephen Biseño The Taste of Sorrow by Jacqueline Knight Cotterill My sorrow inhabits me. I wear it as an invisible layer of scarred skin, in the silk scarves I twirl round my fingers, in the outsize fleece I sometimes wrap tight for the comfort of touch. I see it in their talismans, charms to fortune now settling in a Mediterranean home; the wooden sleeping Buddha, the fairy hiding on the mantlepiece, Chinese bells tinkling on red ribbon, the framed photos my eyes

Magic Shop by Inessa Carver I step into a magic shop one day A bundle slung upon my shoulder My body breaking beneath the weight Like Atlas broke A sign upon the wall reads “Exchanges Only, No Returns” The crone behind the counter glaring Like one of the Fates I expect to see a string A red thread of destiny, ready to cut But the decrepit figure has nothing Only beady eyes I place my burden down Gasping from the relief in my soul But it’s only temporary “Exchanges Only” I car