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Issue 3

Page 1 

Preferences

 

Wouldn’t you rather

we walk down

the avenues of rain

trading verses from Poe

like black roses

and only take

our best memories

with us and the small

butterfly tattoo

on the back of your neck

wouldn’t you rather

the government

forgot our faces

our names and when

we’re faraway

and finally beyond

the boom of waves

wouldn’t you rather

I put my hand

in the flame

between your legs

well I would

 

— Howie Good

Present

 

We both know that I’ve left you before,

and without a thought really, for another

place with longer shadows I’d visited, or

some mountain range I’ve always wanted to;

running my hands over orchid-smooth skin.

While you stayed right here, continuing on

without judgment or bitterness, without

anything but yourself, which of course changes

every time I go away; though always, somehow,

for the better; and often even having placed, in your

haphazard way, somewhere in my periphery,

and sometimes right beneath my nose,

a gift.

 

                                                 — Mark Lavorato

The Sea

 

Walking down the street,

I empty my pockets

of the sea I was looking

after for you. Mussels

come tumbling first,

cracking open their castanet

shells on the pavement.

Acres of seaweed and oysters.

Taking a deep breath,

I pour an ocean into the middle

of the road. Islands of people

and cars bob in the newly created sea.

Somewhere amongst this

is an old trawler. You are inside,

sending signals back to a lighthouse

forgotten in a trouser pocket.

 

                                   — Christian Ward

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