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MUSTERMAGAZINE
ISSUENO.3
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TableofContents
2 Moments of Silence KevinBelew3 Not Too Old KevinBelew4 Simply Complicated KevinBelew5 Coddling M.E.Brown6 Passing Bell, 1967 M.E.Brown7 Suckling Boys M.E.Brown8 Spoondrifting M.E.Brown9 Forresting M.E.Brown10Pathetic Math ChrisGould11Process KyleEnright14Untitled KyleEnright15Swimming Backwards BarbaraO’Neil16Last Dance BarbaraO’Neil17Your Bones BarbaraO’Neil18No Apologies BarbaraO’Neil19What Eats Ticks, Part 1 JohnHarkins21Alarms Ring For A Reason 3/3 KevinBelew24Lying and Dying SarahKrebs25Paris September 30th SarahKrebs27What Happens When I Drink Too SarahKrebs Many Superior Light Beers28You Never Know SarahKrebs29 Unholy Grail JohnCosta32What It Feels Like BarbaraO’Neil33Untitled KateBurke34Untitled KyleEnright
CollectedbyChrisGouldCo-EditedbyMarianaKrambsMUSTER,ALiteraryMagazine,IssueNo.3
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Moments of Silence KevinBelew
Theintensityofthebigjobisdoubledwithminutedetailsquantified.
Theeverydayblockageofasuccessfulfruition.
Moldanddecayblendingwiththefloweringofamorningglory,soengrossed,thatclimbsandconquers.
Theredsandtheyellowsdroppingfromtreesinautumn,thefloodingofwinter,therestlessnessofspringandthesheddingofsummer.
Whenthebigjobisfinished,Iwillhavenoviewinconcept,I’llbesurroundedbyeternalwritersblock.
Wordswillbesaid;goodandbad.Itmightbethemomentsofsilencethatmeanthemost.
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Not Too Old KevinBelew
I’mcontent.Ihavethefight.Inolongerneedtofeelit.
Gettingbeatupgetsold,andwillgetyounowhere.
Thevictoriesnowseem,fromthesedaysofsustainablenothingness,somethingtolatchontowhenbeatingthesystem,winninginlifearetoolsusedbytheunfortunatetofoolonewisely.
Thoughtsoffloatingandrotatingkeepmeawake.UntilthepressureoftimeCavesmyheadinwithdreams
and
I
am
asleep.
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Simply Complicated KevinBelew
AsIthinkback,totheexcitementofmyyouth.
Ifeelfree.
Knowingnow,expunged,asIsit,write,drink,smokeandletthethoughtsfloat.ThatifIdiedtonightitwouldbetoolittletoolate.
Andtobeokaywiththis,Mayseemunacceptable.ButmeaslyandstressfreeIam.
Youseetobethissimpleiscomplicatedtosomewhowantittobe.
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Coddling M.E.Brown
erringhimdousingtheebullientchoirofarchives
motheringhimcatchingthespindlingmareneckingbreast
bottlesintheden,agatelikeloopingmilkcurtains,dark-greenlivingroom
splashesofusagainstthebrunt-sourwallsmoorintheflitsheeringdisuseofappetite
onthefloorfreckledinthedinningcanterofdirtlickingouracerbicunarmoredhands
caughtgallonthemustardcoloreddecksewninSwedishbotanicaltapestrywoveninchocolatefloralnouveau
livingroomlawnthrowninrichgrassysod-likeveneeropaquerugslainoverhardwoodedpastures
alongthespackleculledwallanoverturetoourwaking
ourshoulderbladesclunkamainthemolding.
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Passing Bell, 1967 M.E.Brown
furnishthesweetroom,anchorittocallousfloors,wedance;splinteringthesolesofourtrampledshoes.netherduskinthelight.
Nehemiah’sinthehall,heneglectshislimbs,barrelingchestcontouredandmeantonlyforbrawls,expositionsoflight;thecandleticklingthechinofdarkness,puff,thestarchyafterbirth—curdlinginaswarthydust,lightedout.
Lord,forwhenthebrideisinhiskindness;Thebruteisinherkitchen.Akintohimself;winebatteringaboutinbelly;hissystolichymn—themountainshemorrhageathishands,heliftsustothetrees,withkneelingneckstheyheel,sallowinpasture,idleinrain;come,come;Iswingyou,latheryou,batheyouinassembly,ensilagedmouth,webbedundertonguecleftthattastedofsyrup,Ilicked,yesclothed,yes,Itwasatundraofmuscle.
YouaresickaspininghideHeclearedthetreesWerejoicetogether;Nobuildingsthere—fieldfulloftroughsbedinthecanteringdecayedfleshofstonepines.
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Suckling Boys M.E.Brown
gobbleduptherowhousesafterthebig-timestormcamepouncinginonitsbald-heels
whiffetcomelythroughthenosewiththetareyedsmokejingles
cornerof30thand—volleyinglegstrampleattacks
whinnyinghiccoughcrushingtobaccounderhoof
boys’blackdentedchinswornchappytuftedinhairs
stickingthegumundertheirtonguesthenchewingfromthegutters
(and)buddingfromtheflangethetipsofcigarettesdanglefromtheirspeckledmuzzles
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Spoondrifting M.E.Brown
combingthroughanapiarywearingsweetvanillatartburntandmewing
cannotheartheclangoroftheirdomesticatedfeetcannotclothethenoisome
shallowthenintothebarbedwingsburrowingremedialplashes
ethericonlyiftheflutteringstemscurlingthetightfistofitsleaves
orisitascepterthecoronetdroppingjewelsinspindrift
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Foresting M.E.Brown
allthenit’ssinwaylaying‘tweentwotress
blisteringbrunetteshantyback‘longthewater
capewadingthroughboughlappingbranch—aureatesail
‘roundhisnecktautbeardedoverwind
curtailingthebanks,theheavysplayofwoods
feralthicketstalkbelowthebudswindlingleaf
bruisedappendageoffloratwinklingthroughthegrove
hewasswimminginthem
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Pathetic Math ChrisGould
Thatlookonthefarmersworkingthemarketinbetweensalesandduring,thefarmerispittingthewaysandthemeansversustheoutcome:fourdollarshere,onedollarthere...bigsaleof6.75.Whilethefarmercalculates;it’sapproximate-ly18dollarsingas,moneyforfees.IfIgettothefarmatnine,loadthetruck,driveintotown,setthingsup,sitthere,thenbreakitdown,driveback,unload;that’saneighthourday.So,onedaylaborcosts,thenthegas,thenthemarketfeesandgivingthe‘farmfresh’peoplethircutofthetopshelfgoods,thatsallbeforethecostofproducingallthisfood,thatnowsitsinashopwindowunderaredlightdancingslowlyandwithagracethatseemstoosubtletonoticeatfirst.Andsothepeoplewalkbyunintriguedtothecupcakelady.I,theproducepimp,leanagainstahandrailinadoorwaypickingmyteethabsentmindedlyandcurs-ingundermybreatheverytimeapotentialJohnwalksby,“...allthatexpensivecompost,allthetendernurturing,loveandaffection...andtheyjustwalkonby...gahdamrecession.”Hecontemplatesmovingbackinwithhissisteruntilheisdistractedbyanotherbiteontheline,“pff.Justanotherhand-job,”dejected,“Ishouldastayedinbed...”
Theonlysolaceofthedaywasfoundinoneofthelady’speanutbuttercup-cakes,uponthefirstnibbleofwhich,Ihadforgotteneverythingofmytroublesandbudgetingcrisis,liftedthreefeetintotheairandhoveredwhilstawarmgentlebreezeenvelopedme.Easingbackintorealityasit’smorselsintegratewithmymorsels,fillingsomesmallvoidorextinguishingsomesmolderingembers.Morereliefintheformofdistractionwheneverybirdfromtheadjacentparkswoopedoverthetentandswungthreemassivelapsaroundthetransitmall,bankingwideandslowandjustmissingthetreetops.
Howdoesthatfeeltosellpeoplesugarcakes?Howwouldthatladyfeelifsomeobeseso-and-socamehuffingupallbyitselfandgotonedozencupcakes?Bad?Weird?Obviouslyshecouldn’tbeheldaccountableforanythinganyoneelsedoestothemselves,andfranklyIwouldneverhadconsideredthepossibilityofanyregardwhatsoever;we’realltryingtosellstufftoeattolive,butsittinghere,workingthe“retail”endofthisfood/agriculturalsector,Ican’thelpbuttocomparethisexperience,frommyend,withsimilaremploymentsinmypast.IcansayunequivocallythatI-thatthisexchangethatIammediatingisafairone.Maybeevenanimportantone.Whichisdifferentthanprobablyeveryothertimewhenithadbeenmyjobtosellpeoplethings.......interesting.“AllIsaid...wasthatitwasint-eresting.”[Iswear]Betweenthewindandtherainandthecrazypeople;theguywiththeheadphoneswhocameupandjustputhishandonthewintersquashforlike30seconds,thepoorsales;it’sagoodthingtheygotprettygirlstolookatdownhere.
Thepeopledrivingtrucks;theysmokeastheypass-adifferentkindofjob.
10.09.0912:13p-1:27pKennedyPlazaFarmer’sMarket,Providence,RhodeIsland
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Process KyleEnright
its’s9:45pmi’msittinginacoldhouse.It’ssoempty,imnoteveninit.
amechanicalhumfillstheroom.It’stheonlythingintheroom.
Deadlinesdon’treallyservemewell.
“iusedtobehere,iusedtobealive”
Igrabthebottle,stare,think.
“youfeelsoniceinmyhands”
acomfortingreminder.howimissyouwhenyouareaway.
Itakealonghardpull.
themouthwaters.chills,sweat,unbearablewarmth.thestomachshutters,thebodyshakes.ahandtightlyclaspsthethroat.backdownitgoes.relief.
Acomputerscreenlightsmysurroundings.Anemptywhitepage.Thecursorblinks.
It’snevereasy.
Igiveitsometime,takeanotherdrink.
thereisnothinginmyheadsoifillitwithmorebrownliquid.fluidfillsthevoidofdiscplacedgreymatter.
theinternaltalkradioprogrammingbegins.
“thereitis”
it’sanightlysyndication.endlessthoughts,warmdiscourse.
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thebloodbrainbarrierpenatrated.
softlaughterdrownsoutdeafeningnoise.
maybeicancollectmyself,giveitapurpose.
“whatdoesthatlittlevoiceinsideyourheadtellyou?”
handsgesturewildy,eyesmoveabout,limbsflail,whyamishouting?
“well?”
Musicplaysinthebackground.mybottlesitsnexttome.anemptyshotglassnexttoit.Itstareslongingly.
itissuicidal.
“ifidrinkallofyourcontentsthenaren’tyoudead?don’tiwin?”
ialmostthrowupagain.fightingoffthatfeeling.vomitrisesinmythroat.pushing,churning,fire.likeafurnace.alastlongcringe,thenit’sgone.Beautiful.
“iwillstealyourbrownliquidsoul,youworthlessfuck.”
Istarttyping.
thewordsfallfrommyfingertips.idonotthink,ijustwrite.icontinuewithoutmeaning,istareatthekeyboardwithwideeyes.it’samazinghowfastmyfingersmove.idonotrecountwhatiswritten.ijustkeepgoing.pressbuttons,wordsform.
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Ilookatmyprogress.dissapointment.
“heymisterliquorman,i’mnotevenclosetofull.youaresofuckingclosetoempty.”
it’snotworking.i’mnotworking.maybeitsthemoment.maybeit’snotright.ormaybeit’srightnow.maybei’mjustdrunk.
amomentpassessoquicklyhowdoyouevenliveone?
Thebourboncontinuestopourintomymouth.idonotcare,ijustdrink.icontinuewithoutpurpose.istareattheglasswithwateringeyes.it’samazinghowfasttheliquorgoesdown.idonotrealizehowmuchihavehad.Ijustkeepdrinkingfornogoodreason.pourbottle,thoughtsform.
Ilookatmyprogress.moredissapointment.
Iguessthismomentisover.
wordsstop.nomorekeystrokes.thebottlesitscoldandempty.drainedofeverydrop.iamfinished.itistoo.
“youusedtobehere.youusedtobealive.”
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Untitled KyleEnright
thesepicturessurroundmetheyaresomeoneelse’slifeartifactsofanexistanceoneididnotexistin
iwishicouldhaveknownherinsteadoffillingintheblankseverysingleglimpseitakeit’sonlywhatsheshowsme
ifiwasinthosephotoswouldwebeherenoworwouldibeabsentwithsomeoneelsewondering
ifiwaswithyouthenwoulditbethesame
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Swimming Backwards BarbaraO’Neil
SincethatdayonthesandIhavelostmyfaith.It’slost.Thedoubtisfromtheinsideout.SincethatdayswimmingbackwardsI’velostmypatience.It’slost.Iwantitnow;wanttohideitwhereyouwon’tfindit.YoukeepyoursecretsandIkeeprecoveringfromdumb.Ishelteredyoufromyourownpurposeandit’salreadymisshapingyouridiosyncrasies.You’vesufferedenough.Thiscookiecutterlovekeptyoublindedandboundtomywiles.SincethatdayI’vefanciedyoulikemyperceptionoftheskyfalling.Itiedaknotandwatchedyoursquirm.OhhowIwishyoucouldseemyheartyearningforyoursurrender.CountingthesecondstillIwillbejustlikeyou.YoukeepyourlullabiesandIkeepmisreadingthewritingonthewall.Isecludedyourglowfromdaylightandyou’resunburned.You’vewreckedthisspace.Thisguardhasfallendownandthecarrionsmellssomethingsour.SincethatdayIhavegonetoofarandswallowedmytongue.Ipushedtoohardandwecanbarelytouchitbeforeitfallsapart.
Thelustisfromoutsidein.Theshriveledhopesofyoursandminecollide.
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Last Dance BarbaraO’Neil
I’msadsickofthatdecrepitlookofhate.NowI’mstuckuponthiscrucifixandit’sjusttoolate.Yesterdayyouwerefullofsmiles,TodayI’mmadsickofyourdenial-oftruth.TellingmyselfIshouldhaveknownbetter nottoletyoucreepintomydarkshadow.Shouldhaveputthatladderupagainstthedoorkeptmyselffromcomingbackformore.Currentlytrappeddespiteallofmymight thesewoundedwingshinderedfromanyflight boundtosuddenfitsoflaughter-nothingmakessenseanymoreIdon’twantanymore!
Thisismyvacationfromconstantmisery,yetI’mstuckwithoutthekeytoFreedomofeverythought
WishIwouldhaveboughtthatboatwhenIhadachanceSetsailinsteadofanxiouslywaitforourlastdance.
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Your bones BarbaraO’Neil
Takingchances.Secondglances.Iamwellbeyondyou.Yourtragedybesiegesme.Toounderprivilegedtonoticeyourdefeat.Toodefianttobelieveanything.Nobodyknowsmeandnobodyofferstheirlies.Ibenefitfromyourblows.Icanlearnfromthewaterinyoureyesthatlifeisjustasymphonyofshatteredhopes.Icangiveyouthesunshineifyougivemeyourbones.Builttodenythecataclysmicsharedlifewearedoomedtoindestiny.Icantakeyouwherenobodyseesyouandnobodywantstoknowyourtwistedspine.
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No Apologies BarbaraO’Neil
IdidaveryshittythingtonightAndIhavenomeanstomakeAnysortofamendmentssincenowEverythinghastranspiredintoSHIT.CometothinkofitshithasBeenspewingoutofmylifeforQuitesometimenow.AmIsofarDetachedfromrealitythatIexistonAnentirelydifferentplanereferredToasSHITCENTRAL?AmIsuchaHorriblepartofeveryone’slivesThatI’mknownasTHESHITGIRL?AmIevenagirloramImereSHIT?Amatchwon’ttamethisdisaster.
Alone,andrightfullyso,inmyOwnhome. InevermeanttocausethisharmYetI’vemanagedtochopoffmyownarm
Itriedtofeedittoyoutopreventmefromfeelinglessblue
Anotherbystanderovertakenbythisunnecessarydestruction.IAMONEBIGFUCKINGCOMBUSTION! Ofmiseryandgooddeeds PainandneglectedneedsShame,Blame,Lame-Youname…
InevermeanttocausethisharmNO,Iwasnotraisedinabarn; I’mtenderandtrue and Indebtedtoyou.
I’msorry.
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What Eats Ticks, Part 1 JohnHarkins
“Eh,yougotoneonyou” “Where,where” “Comer,it’sonyourback” “Agh,ah-getit” Theywerecrunchingthroughtheunderbrush,itgrewthickthesedays.Nooneburneditnomore,everyonewasscaredoffires,andnoonerememberedhowtodoitrightanyway.Thetreesweresmall,third,fourth,fifth,sixthre-growthwithinthose360years.Housesconfinedtograsscubicles,9generationsofpartitioningpioneersmeticulousintheirmisconceptions.Thisprogresswasalwayslookingforward,notimelookingback,justprospectsandprofits. Thesetwochildrenofthewoodskneedeepinmuckwerealostrebel-lion,ploddingalongsnaggingshouldersandshinsonthebramblesofbranches.Theywentwalkingeveryday,itdidn’tmatterwhere,butalwaysthroughthewoods.Thisroamingromancegrewsmallereveryyear,theirconversationscondensedandconcentratedwhiletheforestgrewsmaller.Invisibleboxwallsofreclusiveneighborsencroached,turfsprayedupongradedearth,intrudingontheircollectivecommongroundofthorns. Thetwohadplentytotalkabout,butlesstolookatsotheyendedupatthebar.TherewasaTVinthere,alwaysonplayingMTIorsports.ThePop-cornboxpoppedgreasyrobotkernelssprayedwithcandybutter,asthebottlebeerbrewedwithtapwaterandfearflowedtorrents.Thiswasallbydesign,ofcourse. Atthebarthecoupleusuallytalkedwithexcitementforawhile,butsoonthehumandbuzzcarriedtheireyesandearstocontrivedlandsofmythicreality.Farawayplacesthey’dnevervisit,filledwithpeoplelookingexactlylikethem,they’dneverseeagain.
“Justgetitoffmequickplease!” “Allright,alrightIgotem.” Crouchedinthebrush,clutchingthecreaturebetweenhisthumbandforefingerhepulleditoffherneck.Gentlyheputthelittleheadslightlyovertheedgeofhisrightthumbnail.Inonesharpmovement,theleftthumbguil-lotinemechanicallyandunceremoniouslypoppedthebugsheadoff.Thebloodofamillionmammalsswelledasmallbubbleatthetopofthebody…withadisgustedflickMoodydroppedtheexoskeletoncarcasstothegroundinvisibly.
“Ifuckinghateticks.YouknowIdeclaredwaronthelittlebastardsright?” “Really?”shesaidpretendingshehadneverheardthisbefore. “Yup…whenI’mdone,therewon’tbeanotheroneofthoselittlesuck-ersonthisisland.” Thetruthwastheyhadthissamelittledanceeveryday,andshealwayspretendedthiswasthefirsttimeshehadeverheardhisdecree. Thewoodswereinfested,youcouldn’twalkastepwithoutatickwav-ingitslittlearmsandcatchingaride.Bothoftheirskinhadbecomesensitive,itwasaveryparticularfeelingthelittlescurrybeforethebite.Instanceandinstincthadhonedtheirmuscleswhichinvoluntarilynabbedtheparasiteasitmadethegreatscramble.Moodyalwaysmutilatedthem,whileChuriceusually19
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justflickedthemoutofsightandoutofhermind. Moodywouldpinchtheinsect,proclaimhisdeclarationofwar,thensnaphisthumbnails.Hedidthisallthewhileaskingtheaudienceiftheythoughtitpossiblehecouldridtheislandofthismenacinginsect.Somenoddedyeswithencouragement,someweredisgusted,somewereinterestedinhisprofi-ciencyinslaughteringthebug,andmostwouldsincerelysay“Idoubtit.” Mostpeoplenow-a-dayswereinfectedwiththeticksickness,andmostofemdidn’twanttotalkorthinkaboutit.Thiswasallbydesign,ofcourse. MoodyandChuricecontinuedonthedeertrail,silentforasecondasthewordmomentumgainedsteamintheirthroats. “Itfeelssogoodinhere…Ihatelookingatthattowerallthetimeoutthere.” “Iknow,IthinkthisistheonlyplaceontheislandIdon’tfeelitwatch-ingme.” Thewordssunkinastheysqueezedthroughapatchofgreenbriar,thenontheothersidetheirconversationpickedbackup. “Irememberasakid,mypopswouldtellmeboutdaysbeforetheybuiltthatthing.” “Moody,youmeanyourdadwasalivebeforeitgotbuilt?” “Ohyeah,itwasputupwhenhewasagradyschooler,theycutdownallthoseacresofbigforestandploppedittherethesamemonth.” “IwishIwasalivethen,beforethetower” “Yeahmetoo…ahwell,it’sadifferentworldnow-a-daysanyways.” Theywereontheedgeofthewoodsstandingupontheprecipiceoflife,theysteppedoutontothesidewalk.ShadyLanewasfamiliarwithit’sneatgreensquaresterminatingperfectlyatthechemicalcrackseparatingthecement.Thesoundofahundredthousandlawncutters,weedwhackers,leafbellowersanddirtsuckers,screamedfromthebackyards,astheystrolledinthesunlightonshadylane. TheMindyBarsatsquareahead,theynoddedtotheregularsastheypassedthroughthedoorsteppinguptothebar,takingtheirplace.Abowlofpopcorn,candycoated,appearedbeforethemandsoontheywereswallowedbytwosterilizedjugsofglug.MeanTeenIslandwasjustgettingstartedonthebigscreen,andeveryonesettledintowatchtoday’sepisode.
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Alarms Ring for a Reason, Part 3/3 KevinBelew
“DamnJustintakeiteasy.”TracysaidasshewasknockedbackbyJustin.“Ohshitsorry,sorryTracy.”Tracywasonherass,parked,inthepark-inglot.Sheshothimapissedglance,“Whatthefuck?”SamanthawasquicktodefendJustin,“Ohshit,Tracy,weweretryingtogetawayfromthisdrunkbitchinthere.”Ginolooked,dumbfounded,caughtinthemiddle.Tracywasstillonherass,alittlebuzzedevidently.Ginowalkedoverandpickedherup.TracylookedatSamantha,“Wellisthisbitchthatbad?Because,prettymuch,shecausedmetogetknockedonmyasshereandnowIfeellikeknockingsomebodyontheirass.”Ginoalittletickledsaid,“No,ifit’sthegirlIthinkitis,she’snotworthit.”GinolookedoveratJustinandJustinnoddedtohim.GinolookedoveratTracythenbackatJustin,“Justinwherewegoing?”JustinbynowhadSamantha’sarminhis.Hefeltitwouldbeagoodnightsohesaid,“Fuckit.LetsheadovertoOscar’splace.”Ginolitup,“OhyeahIforgotaboutArch’smessage.Letsdoit.”JustinwinkedatSamanthaandledhertothepas-sengersideofthecaddyandopenedthedoor.ShesteppedinasTracyandGinotooktheirseatsintheback. GinoandTracywerecoolinthebackseatthistimeasJustingotontothehighway.JustinaskedGino,“HeywhereexactlyisOscar’sagain?”Ginotoldhim,“Itsthreemoreexits,thengoleftbackoverthehighwayandfollowthattillyouhitcityparkroad.Takethatrightandit’sattheendontheright.”SamanthasqueezedJustin’sarmalittle,“Sowhat’sgoingonoveratOscar’stonight?”Justinglancedatherquickly,“Idon’tknowexactly?MyfriendArchiecalledandleftamessagethattheywerehavingapartyoverthere.Andthattherewouldbelotstodrinkandsmoke.”Ginosidebustedinontheconver-sation,“Ahheknowswhat’sgoingonoverthere.There’llbeacouplebandsandashitloadofpeople.”Justinlaughedalittle,“Yeahhe’sright.That’smostlikelywhatit’llbe.” Theygottotheendofcityparkroadandturnedrightintoagraveldriveway.Theywentpastthehousewheretheycouldseealitupbarn,filledwithpeople,inthedistance.Theyparkedshortlyafterthehousewhereabouttwentyothercarswereparked.Justinbackedhiscarinthespotthatwasfarthestfromthebarnbuttheclosesttothehouse.TheygotoutandSamanthaasked,“Sowhat’supwiththebarn?”Justinanswered,“It’swherethebandsplayandprettymuchwheretoparty.”Theywerewalkingtowardsthebarn,abouthalfwaytherewhentheystartedtoheartheelectricguitarsanddrums.SamanthaturnedtoJustin,“HeyJustinIforgotmypurse,Ihadacouplejointsinit,wouldyouwalkwithmebacktothecar?”JustinyelledovertoGino,“HeyGinodidyoubringanyweedwithyou?”Ginolookedback,“NahmanIjustbroughtsomepillsandcoke.”Justinyelledback,“YouguysgoaheadI’mgonnawalkSamanthabacktothecar.Sheleftacoupleofjointsinherpurse.”GinoandTracydidn’tmissabeatastheykeptwalking.JustinturnedtowardSamanthaandtheywalkedbacktothecar. “Soyou’veneverbeenherehuh?”JustinaskedSam.Shehadherarminhisagain.“No.I’veheardofthisplacethough.”Justinlookeddownastheywalked.Theyweresilentforawhile.“Yaknow,Idon’treallyknowyouatall,Iwaswonderinghowoldyouare.”Samanthasmiledandtoldhim,“I’mtwenty-fourrightnow.”Justinlookedoverather,“What’sthatsupposedtomean,rightnow?”Samanthalaughed,“ItmeansthatintwodaysI’llbetwenty-21
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five.”Justinfeltrelieved.Samanthablurted,“Whyhowoldareyou?”Justinstilllookingather,“Well,Iamtwenty-five,rightnow.”Shesmiledevenlargerthanbefore,“Good,it’snicetobewithsomeonemyownage.”Theywerebackatthecar. JustingotthedriversdoorunlockedandletSamanthain.Shegotin,movedtothepassengerseatandmotionedforhimtogetintosaying,“Heygetinhereletssmokeoneofthesejointstogether.” Justingotintothecar.HesatdownatthewheelandturnedhisbodyrighttowardsSamanthaassheputthejointtohermouthandraisedthelightertoit.Shetookahitandhandedhimthejoint.SamanthastaredatJustinasshespoke,“YouknowInoticedyoustaringatmeatGino’s.”Justincoughedabitfromthejointandspokeinawheeze,“Nono.”Heregainedhiscomposure,“Nono,Isawyoustaringatme,besidesyouofferedmethatjointremember.”Samanthatookthejointbetweentwofingers.“You’rerightIdidofferyouthatjoint.Ithoughtthatitwasveryniceofyoutooffermethebeer.Nomatterwhatitwas,KingCobra.”ShetookanotherhitandpasseditbacktoJustin.Justintookthejointandlookedather.“HeyI’vegotaseriousquestionforyou.”SamanthastartedtosaysomethingbutJustincuthershortwithoutknowingit.“Doyoureallythinkthatamanandawomancanmakeitfaithfully-”JustinwascutoffbySamantha,“Don’tevenworryJustin.Ifeelverycomfortable.Nowareyougoingtohitthejoint?”Justinblushedinthenightandhitthejoint.Shedeclinedsoheleanedforwardandputitoutintheashtray.Ashepulledhisheaduphenoticedshehadmovedalittlecloser.Theystaredateachotherandsheaskedhim,“Wellareyougoingtokissmeorwhat?”Justinputhisarmaroundherwaist,pulledherinandkissedher… Justinlookedather.Shehadexceededanyaestheticexpectations.‘Shelooksgreatnaked.’Justinthought.“Heywhenwasthelasttimeyoumadeitinacar?”Samanthalaughedloudly.“Ilikethat,”shesaid“madeit.What,areyoufromtheseventies?”Justinsaid,“Icouldhaveeasilyaskedyou,‘Whenwasthelasttimeyoufuckedinacar’.”“NoIlikemadeit.Itsclassy.”Shesaid.Shedidn’tanswerthequestion.Hedidn’tcareanymore.Justinkissedheronthemouth,“Alrightletsgetbacktotheparty.Someonemightthinkwewerefuckinginthecar.”Sherespondedquickly,“Makingit!” JustinandSamanthawalked,arminarm,backtowardsthebarn.AstheyapproachedtheentrancetheysawGinoandTracyjustoutside.Acrowdin-sidepacked.Bodieswereseenjostlingoneanotherandoccasionallyonewouldflyoutofthebarnandrushbackin.Themusic,someformofpunkormetal,wasassaulting.Itflaredoutdistortedlikebuckshotpiercingthemallardcausingthemtoslamtogetherandrunincircles.AtribalfuckyoudancetotheU.C. “HeyGino!”JustinyelledtappingonGino’sshoulder.“Hey,whereyouguysbeen?”yelledGinogrinning.Justintoldhim,“Wegotherpurseandendedupsmokingoneofthejoints!”GinolookedthroughthecrowdthenturnedtowardsJustin,“Letsgetouttahere!Youseethosebagsofshitoverthere?”Ginopointedthroughthecrowdtowardsacoupleofguysattheotherendofthebarn.Justinlookedoverandrecognizedtheguys.“AhfuckitGino,they’reharmless,they’rejustabunchofobliviousassholes!”Themusiccontin-uedtoblastandthemallardsfellandtwistedandgotbackup. Justindrovebackupcityparkroadtookaleftthenarightandwasback
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onthehighwaygainingspeed.Hepickedituptoabouteightyandthegirlsgotalittlenervous.Tracyprotested,“Justinslowdownabit,huh?”Justinrealizedhewasspeedingandsloweditdowntosixty-five. Itwaseasyforhimtogetlostintheluxury(ofhisfourdoorCadillac)thatcouldeasilyfiteight,withsomeextrabodiesinthetrunk. SamanthamouthedthankyoutoJustinforslowingdown. AstheCadillacgotclosertoJustin’shouse,helookedoverandsawthecrimescenefromearlier,heasked,“Heyyouguyswannagrabthatbottleandgoovertothatparkwherethatkidgotkilled?”Everyoneagreedthatitwouldbeagreatideatodosomeprivateinvestigating. Justinpulleduptohishousecurbsideandparked.Hetoldthemtowaitoutsidehe’dbebackwiththebottleinasecond.Hewasinandoutandcamebacklaughing,“Sorryguysthisisallwegotleft.”JustinheldoutthebottleofOldCrowwithonlythedregsofthebottleleft.Helaughedagainandsaid,“Don’tworrywecangohitthecornerstorefiveblocksdown.” TheywalkedtothestoreandJustinpurchasedapintofOldCrow.Theywalkedbacktowardsthehouseandcrossedthestreettotheparkwherethemur-derhadbeencommitted.Theysawasignontheentrancetothepark.Theysawrosaries,crucifixes,wreathsandhandwrittensignsattachedtothefence.Therewasalsoanofficialsignthatread,“Crimesceneentrydenieduntilclearancehasbeenissued.”Gino,alittlefuckedup,said,“Fuckit.”Hejumpedtheentrancefenceandwasinthepark.Theotherthreefollowedsuit.Theywalkedpastthebleachersandontothebaseballfieldwheretheygottowhatlookedlikealargedarkstainontheinfield.Theystoppedjustshortofitandhadanimpromptumo-mentofsilence.Theystoodsilentstaringatthestain.Justinspokeupfirst,“ManIhaveneverbeenthisclosetoamurderscenebefore.”Hetoldthemofhowhehadseenthepolicequestioningthekidsearlier.OfhisimaginingsandhowtheyhadmatcheduptoTracy’srecount.“Canyoubelievethis?Imeanthiskidsparentsandhisfamily.Andtomorrowtherewillbekidsstampingtheinfieldnotgivingafuck.”Heopenedthepintbottlepouredalittleoutandtookagoodpull.“Imeanfuck.Ifeelnothingatthisscene.Notonebitofempathy.Peopleareborn,peopledieandtheearthkeepsspinning.Ifeelnothingbut…”Hetrailedoffandpassedthebottle.Samantha,staringatthestain,sawthebottleperipher-ally.Shegrabbedit,staringatthestain,hadagooddrinkandpassedit,staringatthestain.
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Lying and Dying SarahKrebs
IcoulddietomorrowpeacefullytrustmeIhavealreadyswamnakedinthosebluebluewarmwatersthatyouseeonyourtv(coastofSpainbaby)smokedsomanyjointsenoughtowipeoutoneofthosegrowfarmsupinmendocinobeeninlovewithyoulongenoughevenstillaphonecallfromyoustillsendsshockwavesthroughmyheartandallthatshitafteralltheseyearsdarlineventhoughIaminlovewithsomeoneelseandthereisallthatbluebluewaterseparatingmeandhimyouontheotherhandarenotsofarawayandinmylifeIhavelovedyoumoreinmylifeIhavedoneitallIcandiepeacefullytrustme
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Paris September 30th SarahKrebs
andeveryotherdayinSeptembergoeslikethiswakenoearlierthan11amalthoughhisalarmstartsringingsometimesat9“sowhatdoyoudoalldayinPariswithallyourfreetime?”“nothingdoesitlooklikeIdosomething?”theenglishdjisoffendedsaysthefrencharepretentioussayshecan’tfindanyXbesidesthefrenchsnortcokeonepartyafterthenextallabadjokegototheatmbaddestjokeofalldidn’tbringenoughcashorpartyonlydressesthatiswhyIwantedtodrinktheteaevenwitheveryonebeingheresothatthenestwouldfallfromthetreewemakeloveagainstmothernature’swishesIknowIwillbetheonetopayIstarttothinkthisanotheroneofyourtestsifitisIcouldcarelessrevisionthetitleofthispoemisParisSeptember28THIlosttrackofthedaysmylungsrevolttheconstantinfernoinmythroatnowbeweenmylegsotherthingstranspireIhavebeenmadeawomanandre-madeawomaninParisyoueitherhaveragsoryouhaverichesifyouknowtherightpeoplethepartiesarefunchampagnedinnerscherriesripeforthepickingthemorningsnotrealityreallynotbillstopay
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notcitiestobombjustyouandmewoundupincloudsofcoverstouchingalloveryouwillnotteasemetillwearesittingproperlyatthebreakfasttablesomaywestayinbedabitlongerdear?mothernatureforgetsandforgivesshehasgotmoreimportantmatterstodealwiththanwhatgoesonbetweenawoman’slegs
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What Happens When You Drink Too Many Superior Light BeersSarahKrebs
IhaveonesuperiorlightbeerbytheendofthebottlethereisnothingsuperioraboutitmymommatellsmetorestIthinkIhavebeenrestingthenIrememberthinkingispuremurderIwakeupinParismyfrenchisflawlessmythighsareperfectthebabyonmyhipisnotafigmentofmyimaginationoutthewindowgoesalltheconditionssometimesIforgetIamstrongerthanIgivemyselfcreditformybreastwerequitethestatementnowtheyaresilentjustteardropsrollingdownhischeekwejokeaboutimplantsIsomehowmanagetokeepmyselfrespectintactshudderatthethoughtofwomenwhobirthbabieswhiletheyhavetheirtitsinflatedIlookintheeyesofmybabyIlookintheeyesofmyloveronehashisconditionstheotherdoesn’t
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You Never Know SarahKrebs
gravitypullsdownourinneroceanstuningoutthetuningstheselessonslearnedonlytobesweptunderthefloorforwehavefailedanywaygiveitallthefingerifItoldyouthatIknowexactlywhatyouarefeelingIwouldn’tbutImayandyoumightpullyourselfoveranotherledgeandIwillnotbetheretocomfortyou
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Unholy Grail JohnCosta
“Let’splayacardgame,”S.suggested. “Soundsgood,”T.agreed. Iwashesitant.“Whatgamearewegoingtoplay?”Iasked. “We’regoingtoplayEgyptianRatScrew.”S.insisted. Thesmallupstairsapartmentwasclutteredwithbooksandvideogames.ATVlaysidewaysonthecarpetamongsttheemptyfoodwrappers.Thelightingbeingunusuallybrightgaveoffastagnantheat,andthereIwas,inachairatthesmallroundtablewithtwopeopleIthoughtIknew. SowestartedplayingthisgameI’dneverheardof,Iwastoodistractedtocaremuchandjuststaredatthedeckandthebackofthebicyclecardswithdistanteyes.Alltheintricatecoloredlinesandthetwoopposingcherubwiththethinwhiteborder.Iswallowedmyphlegm;we’dbeensmokinghashishallnight.Thecardshadthatperfecttextureforgrippingandslidingacrossthetable,S.shuffledthemwithease.Thefacesoftheirroyalfamilyandtheunaffectedeyesastheystoodonthefaceofthecardinblandprimarycolorswereswipedintoadeckdividedamongstthethreeofus. Therules,saidtoinvolvepilingcardsinasettoaparticularmethodandslappingthesetupontriggeredpatternsthatjustweren’tthere.Iwasstonedanddidn’treallycareplusIwasgettingantsyandtiredandfeltclaustrophobic. “Alright,I’mtakingoff.” Istoodupandgavetheobligatorypeaceoutthenwalkedoutthedoorclosingitbehindme.Theskywasdarkandfullofomniscientcloudsofdoomwithacoldfogandcrispbreezeblowingelectricitythroughtheair;Isteppedouttotheconcreteandletoutadeepsightothewinternight. Iwenttomycardimlylitunderthecarportandgotin.Crumpledciga-rettepacks,termpapers,books,tapesscatteredthebrownleatherinterior,oldcarsmellandstalesmoke.Ipulledoutofthelotandheadedhome.Iturnedontheheaterandpushedinthecigarettelighterafterpressingplayonthetapedeck. AlocalbandcalledDesertCitySoundtrack;Igotthedemotapefromtheshowattheinnofthebeginning.Smokingmycigarettelisteningdeeplytothemelancholictrumpetsighingoverthedownedtempopianomelodies,allcomplimentedbydrumsandcrescendosofsoundclipsfromrareindependentfilms. Therewasnooneelselostonthegreyfreeway,itwaslateandaweek-nightinmyhometown,Iturnedintosuburbiaandparkedacrossfromthehouse.Thewhitecherubstatuettesatthereonthepicketfencewithitsbabyangelwingsanditschippedsmiletowardsme. Iturnedoffthecarandjustsatthereforasecondbreathingthecoldairdownmythroatandintomylungs,listeningtothetape.Itfadedouttosilenceandreeledtoaclick. Ididn’twanttogoinside.Ididn’twanttogetoutofthecar. So,lookingforanothertapeinthecenterconsoleIfoundablankcassetteIwasn’tfamiliarwith,ithadjustonelabelwithchickenscratchesofa“HappyBirthday,”agift? Whatstartedoutpoorlyrecordedguitarchordscuthalfwaythroughachorusabruptlybrokenbydeeplaughter?Thentosoundsofameagerparty. Ijerkedmyheadtotherightasafigureappeareddirectlyoutsideofmypassengerwindow,agiantanddarklytranslucentprayingmantisswayingback29
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andforthmenacinglystaringcoldintomyeyes,itwantedtoeatmealive. ParalyzedbyfearIstaredintoitskillereyes. Thetapebuzzedtothefearandtwohighelfvoiceschatteringandlaughingindifferentatthesituations. “Thebug’snotreal.” “Huh?” “Itistheshadowofthetrees.” Theywereright,itwastheshadowofthetrees...swayinginthewind,yetstillIstaredandlistenedasthisforeignghostsurroundedtheatmospheretakingholdofthesituation. “Moveyourheadleftupthere.”Themachineelvescommandedmyeverymove.Bewildermentfilledmyparalyzedbodyupanddownsmearedwithrelicfearsofsomedemonicforce. “Muahahahahahahahaha!”Thehighpitchedelveslaughedinhystericalsequenceandsynchronicity.Allmyfearsweretransmittedthroughthehauntedtape.InutterdreadIfellintothishypnosisstaringintotheinsecteyesswayingbackandforth. Iswallowedmyfearandgotoutofthecarlookingbothways,andslidthetapeinmypocketandwalkedthroughthedoor. Itossedandturnedinmybed,mybodystiffandancient,crumblinglikeastatueorafallenidol,stuckininsomnia.Ijustlaythereeyeballsstaredintotheceilingandbeyond… Igotupandtookthetapeoutanddecidedtofigureitout. Icopiedittomycomputer,sloweddownIheardaconversationaboutforeignpolicyduringworldwartwoandslowedfurtheritdrewouttoabuzzingsoundyetclearlythechantof“SixSixSix.”Themarkofthebeast… Whathadjusthappened? Demonicpossession? SuddenlyitwasfreezingcoldandIcouldseemybreath.Ishutthecomputerdownasmynervesdidthesame,closingthewindowIflippedtheblinds,andfellasleep. IdreamtIwaswaitingatthetransit;noonewastherebutme. Andeverythingwasgrey. Adyingwindblewtrashdownthestreet.Thethoughtofagirlcrossedmymindbutonlybrieflythenthethoughtdisappearedlikethedustinthegut-ters. Igotupandstartedtowalk;Iturnedacornerandstumbledupsomestairs.ItgotdarkeranddarkerasIfollowedthestepsintothedark,andthenitwasallblack,exceptinthecementthere,aluminescentshininglampemittingdarknessthroughanenigmaofthickectoplasmsmokeradiatingshadowaslight. InstinctivelyIreachedforthelamp. AsItoucheditIawokeinbedwithmyeyesopenwithadarkmatteredtranslucentdemoncomingupfrommychestflashingasinistersneerviolentlychokingmeagainstthemattress. Twomorepairsoftranslucenthornspokedfromeithersideofme. Theygrabbedmyarmsandheldmewithhellishgrins. TheonepokinghiswaistoutfrommychestslammedmeharderandItriedtoscreambutnosoundcameout.
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Ishutmyeyesinhorrorandforamomentdiedinside. FranticallyIprayedGodmakeitstop. Justthenablindinglightshapedlikeabellcamespiralingthroughthewindowfloatingdowngracefullysuckingthedemonslikeavacuumspinningbackoutfromwhenceitcame. ThenIwasalone. That’swhenthenauseasettled. Athickdwellingpitturnedinmystomachtowhatfeltlikerocks. VomitingIrantothetoilet. Ifellsprawledburninginmythroatonmyhandsandkneesinshock. Apairoftentacleinsectparasitesswamdeathlyinapoolofvomitandblackblood. MyeyesthroughtheceilingIhelplesslyshoutedoutsavemeagainandagain.Mystepfatherbrokethedoordownscreaming. “Whatthehellisgoingon?!” VaguelyawareofmysisterAngelinthenextroomrunningwaterasshebangedonthewall. “NOOOOOOOOOO!!!”Sheshriekedinhorror. “Stop!Thisishowdemonsmanifest.”Shecriedthenwept. “Saveme!”Againandagainandagain. Itookabreathinshockagonyanddespairandflushedthetoiletknow-ingthosethings,whatevertheywere,wouldhauntmeforyearsleavingmesufferinginexistentialdespairwonderingwhathadreallyhappened. ThatyeartheheatburnedoutslowlyinanIndiansummer. Ascarecrowinthedistancewithapurplecoatandapumpkinheadhunglifelessabovethedryfield,woodenbonesabovethehay. Fliesbuzzedallmechanicalcirclingitflyingthroughectoplasm,trailsoftetragrams.Landingonyourfaceandskull,throughyourearsanddiggingintoyournose,pryingrightthroughyourporesandboringintoyourflesh,squirmingmaggotsdevouring. Thefieldanddeadtreeandskyandeverythingfellintored,thenfadedtoaheartypurple. Allswellinglikeapulpingveinthendyedtoapocalypticgreywhenpitchblacksilencearoseforalleternity.
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What It Feels Like BarbaraO’Neil
SoyouwannaknowwhatitfeelslikeOntheinsideofthisshell,wellItfeelslikeaquickdrink,Feelslikeashatteredsmile.
Onthissideofdenial,feelslikeacoolbreeze.Deepinsidethisthought,thisshoveonyourshoulderEveryminutewegrowolder.
Andwedon’tstop.Wedon’tknowhowtoquit.Wastedtimeinthissportsbar.I’dratherripmynailfromskin.ButIdon’tstop.Evenyoumayquit.
AhurriedquicknessAmoment’ssickness.HighqualitydelusionAloneandsurroundedbymediocrehopesandlives.
WhatapityIeventried.
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Untitled KateBurke
Seven.BeforeIbecameabad
exampleformyselfandlearnedtheart(lesson)offallingdown.
Beforeamindcouldwraparounditselffully.KnowhowcellsmaymalfunctionandthatBeastsdon’thavetohavesharpteeth,tobedeadly.
Beforeloss.Or,realizingtheintegrityofaliverspurpose.Thattherewillbenoreflectioncomebottomofanemptypintglass.
Evenifyou’relookingforit.
BeforeIknewyourhands.Tough,weathered.Liketheseasonwe’vebeenavoiding.Bruised,oftenlate..Backwardseven.Tasteless.
BeforeIknewbetter.
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Untitled KyleEnright
asurferonawavecrashingintoshorewaterbreaksaboveheadhardrockssmashingboneseawaterfillsthelungsthebodysinkstosandacurrentdragsitoutnowadrowningman
youlovedtheocean,
itloveskillingyou.
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