I stand facing the town hall, my wings quivering slightly, trying to muster the courage to enter the massive building. I hate all government offices.…
Posts published in “Literary”
Riding Hood Revisited
By JULIA KLEINBERG on March 2025
The girls in the village know not to seek out the one who lives in the shadows. They don’t know why, only hearing the whispers…
Curling Breeze
By CAEDMON SETHUPATHY on March 2025
Oh curling breeze, My valentine skybound, Dance with me and pull me through the stars. Dance with me through all the towns and bars. Play…
The Shallow Shore of a Lake
By CAEDMON SETHUPATHY on March 2025
I feel too tired to write a poem. Ordinarily it would be a task of some relief, A break from the monotony of scholastic thought,…
Omelettes 2
By THEODORE DUFRESNE on March 2025
I woke then, in your grove, Through the bramble, we had dove. You split yokes onto the stove: In the pan – the mass did…
The Mask Maker
By ZADIE WANG on March 2025
After an excruciating wait, I found myself face to face with the Mask Maker. I’d waited idly for hours, twiddling my thumbs and letting my…
Attention All People
By TARAN KNUTSON on March 2025
We are building a Computer building a Computer The background task a flowing river Packets sent to every client Stay inside do not leave home…
An Ode to What Isn’t
By THEODORE DUFRESNE on March 2025
Oh sing for what isn’t, the always unknown. When the pen brings peace to a bleeding warzone, And each soldier shrugs off a cracked collarbone.…
You think my women are oppressed
By RUKIA ABED on March 2025
You think my women are oppressed— because they walk with their heads covered, because their hands are rough from labor, because their voices do not…
Strip Search
By ACE DUFRESNE on March 2025
The guards whisper to each other, voices low and oily. As they turn to me, their hands drift to their weapons. Scanning my undressed body,…
Wash by hand
By ZADIE WANG on February 2025
I am washing dishes in an unfamiliar house letting tap water shock my giving hands as I scrub away impurities. I am washing them until…
Open Heart Surgery
By JULIA KLEINBERG on February 2025
It’s like putty, really – Meticulously sculpted, Resting among collarbones. You can count four chambers, Spot an aorta, Trace each pulsing vein, But it’s just…
Paul and I
By CAEDMON SETHUPATHY on February 2025
When I dream upon the bygone saints, I question my resolve if crisis bite. But knowing sin was brought from taints, My chance at glory…
this boy
By REAGAN JOHNSON on February 2025
This boy Doesn’t know what he’s done This boy holds my heart This boy Picked me up out of the ashes This boy Brings out…
Show of Fools
By ACE DUFRESNE on February 2025
They silence my world With blood velvet curtains— Dim the lights And exit signs They take my jacket Leave my shivers— Rest it six feet…
Punching Bag
By JULIA KLEINBERG on February 2025
It feels good, doesn’t it? When flesh meets flesh A moment of connection, A follow-through, The thud of a sack of bones hitting the floor.…
Solstice
By CORNELIA YE on February 2025
Posters, For will-writing workshops, Plastered on the wall— But you’ll never see it coming, Until it’s knocking on your door.
Monster
By ACE DUFRESNE on February 2025
Your light hit me At an angle, precise A child’s game At a calculated price You cast my shadow large On a plastered wall You…
Response Time
By NATALIE PATRONE on February 2025
My heartbeat’s connected To the ellipses on my screen Pumping, pacing, pending, Then vanishing. So I just look away And try to drown it all…
Faerie Politics
By JULIA KLEINBERG on February 2025
“Forge,” Rhododendron greeted him coldly. “Deni,” he responded. “Rhododendron,” she corrected him. “I thought I’d have you know, I’m buying the land that your vegetable…
Roots
By JOYCE SPEARS on January 2025
Sturdy, Like the base of a tree Grounded, Growing intricate leaves Each blemish, each vein An original stain Each branch reaching out Towards the sky…
Our Roots
By EVANGELINE HARRIS on January 2025
Our Roots are where we come from Our Roots give us an IDENTITY Our ROOTS show us the past And help us move on to…
Venting about Trees Chestnut Blight
By SOL JORDAN on January 2025
Find me one forest The one I can’t think of when I try to picture a forest Find me one forest not once leveled in…
Focus Joyce Spears
By Tattler Webmaster on January 2025
Read this slow Read it carefully Be cautious as each word sinks in This may be my last. Or my first It’s hard to tell…
StrangER Fruits
By Tattler Webmaster on January 2025
Billie sang of Strange Fruit, I decry a StrangER Fruit I see it in the halls of IHS, boundless energy left untapped No real success,…
Frozen Strawberries
By CORALLUS MEEKS on January 2025
Walking alone down the muddy path, naming the stones, anger, grief, vengence, resentment, contempt. Tearsrolling over cheeks like the water rolled over rocks in the stream below.…
Basement Treasures
By MAX GOEBEL on January 2025
It’s early in the morning but you’re bored so you go to the basement Going into the workroom you spot the old box of miscellaneous…