Snowbird

By Maura Way
Doris’ balcony bends toward the sea. She is in a high rise looking down at birds. Gulls scream and fly north to the next resort.

Photo Story: Two Masterpieces about Jello

We received a number of wonderful stories to this month's photo prompt, and we were stymied to pick a single winner, so please indulge us in presenting these two gems.

Aunt

By Edvige Giunta
The 30-year-old recording carries little of my father’s sister, no more than she was in life, ever-present shadow of her mother...

After the Whipping

By Bill King
A boy stands knee-deep on heron-thin legs, stung skin numbing now, as stars prick creek water sliding slow, slow beneath him.

After a Heartless Winte...

By Juliana Gray
In May I tilled the garden, so swept up in the work that I churned beyond the boundaries of Grandma’s old plot into rocky soil.

All The Lies I’ve Told ...

By Mel George
The playground is closing now. The ball pool isn’t open. We have to hold hands in the car park.

Photo Story: Goat Yoga

By Lisa Fairman
We take revenge during goat-yoga class. A herd of ladies arrive each Saturday, and Friday night we gorge ourselves like horses before a race.

Instructions for Cleani...

By Sarah Freligh
I have my secrets. I take my time, stare at my face until I’m a stranger, a she who is not me. A she who helps herself to whatever will buff the sharp edges of the world.

Ctrl + alt + delete

By Chelsey Clammer
Consider yourself a task I have ended. Our relationship, a 404 not found. Our connection now disconnected.

Palm Funeral

By Adam Schuitema
The tallest palm on the atoll lost its fronds long before falling. King tides and storm surges had breached the walls, poisoned it with salt.

The Quiet Sadism of the...

By Heather Bourbeau
She woke to news of another stalemate, more children dying on the border, mounting humanitarian crises overseas, and a small mass in her breast.