Note: I met Olga Taran many years ago by a strange and happy series of coincidences. An interest in Descartes led me to study geometry. Since my education had been…
Horror
Three Flash Fictions
People are Strange This is the end for my dad, but he’s died before, so maybe I’m wrong. I know it’s a cliché, but deathbed regret is a real thing.…
A Pox on Both Our Houses
A POX ON BOTH OUR HOUSES Ah, syphilis—so sweet, so soft and sibilant, the most beautiful word in the English language. I sing the infectious tune, the bacterial…
Hairs
Journal Entry #1 There is more hair in the sink. There is always more hair in the sink. And in the shower. And in the drain. And in my hands.…
2 Poems: Barbara Holland
Huldra She is Swedish, and one of those,you know. Big. Green eyes and red hair,all clinging velvet and ropesof beads in the front, with coldand cleanly chiseled features.Real Nordic beautywith…
Damp Squib
If Lilly could change one thing about herself, it would be her salivary glands. A dry tongue, that is what she longs for. Remove the constant swill sloshing around her…
The Hypmogoogoopizin’ Man: His Legend
Anciently, when God did ordain to claim this drear and waste domainHim did it please to bid his saintsagainst all pleading abject ‘plaintsto sojourn here ‘cross cruel seato raise The…
Having a Jesuit for Dinner
A Monologue of The Emperor Qian Long (1711-1799). I bid you welcome to the Summer Palace, and to this, my garden behind the Hall of Paintings. There is no…
Bottle Caps
As anyone who is or has been the “nerdy kid” growing up can attest, you can’t help but assume the worst when the biggest bloke in class suddenly walks up…
The Horses’ Heads Were Toward Eternity
5:40 Gyeongbu Expressway It took me a while to recall the painting and the poem. We were all still recovering from the fright. Li was quiet. Kim was silent as…