FLASH

Small but mighty, these short, incisive pieces cut to the core in a just a few words.
dead roses
The Cycle

It all started with the curse of my tits. Women’s bodies are cursed. Everyone tries to look at them, everyone tries to ignore them.

Damn Good Listener

I know you shouldn’t keep wild animals as pets, but I’ve had the same spider in my bathroom sink for over two weeks.

forest fire
When The Ten Thousand Ton Trilobite Attacked

We said, Heck, that’s really something.

Athena, the Octopus, Solves a Puzzle

The new octopus at the children’s aquarium was named Athena, and as we waited for her to emerge, I thought of the almost-too-faint second line on the pregnancy test three days before.

view of earth from space
The Scattering

Allanson looked out of the viewport, at the ragtag flotilla of ships trailing behind, some of them slow to catch up. It was to be expected with the little time that they’d had to cobble the fleet together.

photo of windshield
Mother and Her Remains

Mama sped along the highway, unbothered by bits of gravel that flew up from the front tires and struck the windshield of the sedan.

Sisters of the Divine Apparatus

The day does not conclude with the gentle exhale of the earth, but with Mother Superior flipping the hourglass over, again.

Junk

It was spring and the hills were irradient, like they had to get out all their green in one short burst before catching fire.

Laika Came Home

When Laika the space dog comes back, bulleted to earth in a tiny white escape pod that dissolves upon opening, nobody can believe it.

Swoon

Jenna says that he typically goes for redheads, so I run to Target and buy a box of hair dye.

Ruminations

Through the dusty window in my parent’s bedroom, I watched the neighbor’s cattle graze.

Teeth and Boyfriends

With great reluctance, I agree to meet a cousin for an outside lunch…

Familiar Territory

Could someone hating you really cause a physical unease? Sure, why not.

Little Cow

A man with a fistful of showbags said, “That cow sounds like a person trying to sound like a cow.”

Dead History

Another image rises to us both: A man hunched before a TV, watching historical documentaries, correcting incorrect facts. Rasputin was not a priest, damn it.

Theoretical Debate

On the first day of our new life together, my husband realized that I was not interested in theoretical debate. He said it was okay by him and went out to get some pancake mix.

The Sweetness

I’m dancing with my best friend’s husband, under the influence of his jaws and thighs.

Forest Walk on a Friday

Every time I come to the forest, it’s different, but so am I.

Wilderness

The land here is scarred and wrinkled.

Rose By Any Other Name

Kate Winslet always reminded me of my mom. Maybe that’s why, even to this day, I get defensive of Rose from Titanic when people call her stupid or shallow…