She stared at the computer screen, at the cursor that continuously blinked in and out of existence until her vision blurred and she had to shake her head to bring herself back to the present. Work, work, work, always work to do. Dozens of old Post-it note to-do lists that she threw into the trash … Continue reading Short Story: Motivation
Artwork: Lana Turner Has Collapsed
This charcoal and ink drawing was inspired by Frank O’Hara’s poem, “Lana Turner Has Collapsed.” I had always loved the poem, and was inspired to draw this image when my English GSI this semester said O’Hara was one of her favorite poets. This poem had always haunted me, especially as someone who grew up in … Continue reading Artwork: Lana Turner Has Collapsed
Short Story: Coffee Shop Curator
There are a lot of trees in New York City. No, I don't mean Central Park—of course there are trees in the park. I mean it's like someone looked around at this dark grey place and thought, "Hey, why don't we just plant a bunch of shit so that when they try to say New … Continue reading Short Story: Coffee Shop Curator
Short Story: Prodigy
“Your mother brought this spinet with her when she got married.” I know what the word “spinet” means. I read it in a novel last week and then I found it in the dictionary, so I know that it’s a name for a type of very short piano. My siblings just call this a piano, … Continue reading Short Story: Prodigy
Short Story: Grand Canyon
It has been so long that I no longer remember whose sadness weighed so heavily that night. But something flavored the darkness as we drove, through desert empty without sun to warm it, over mountains made bare by the raw eye of the moon, past trees who shed their skirts and raised bare arms to … Continue reading Short Story: Grand Canyon
On the Intellectual Merits of Genre Fiction
We all know genre fiction. Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter are the most well-known examples, but most any fantasy (Eragon, A Song of Ice and Fire) or science fiction (Ender’s Game, Dune) counts. These kinds of stories, while many are popular, are rarely if ever touted in academia, and often lack credibility in … Continue reading On the Intellectual Merits of Genre Fiction
Artwork: Untitled
When you spend your days following train tracks, the past of your surroundings is unveiled quietly, laid out around you. The tracks run through the land, the ones safe to explore, or safe enough anyway, don’t lead to your future; they are a sidewalk for window-shopping through the past. You can follow and follow the … Continue reading Artwork: Untitled
Literature as the Adversary
When I tell people that Lolita is my favorite novel, I usually receive a reaction straddling the line between fascination and horror. Yes, I know what it’s about. It wouldn’t be my favorite book if I hadn’t read it too many times to count. Yes, I think it’s disturbing. It’s deeply disturbing in a way … Continue reading Literature as the Adversary
Short Story: The Mandalay Writers Society
The Mandalay Writers Society met every Thursday evening in the dingy flat of Mildred Mandalay. Mildred was a middle-aged woman who worked as a receptionist at the Independent Tire Company. The job was dull, but Mildred, an unmarried romantic, passed away the hours dreaming of penning the next great love story. There were three other … Continue reading Short Story: The Mandalay Writers Society
Short Story: Johnson
Jonathon joined the Marine Corps on his 18th birthday as a gift to himself. They shaved his bow of hair off and wrapped him up in MARPAT. They gave him combat boots that gave him blisters that calloused over. They taught him new things and new ways to do old things: shoot, dress, hump, drill, … Continue reading Short Story: Johnson
