She Whispers Korean in My Ear by Tanya Ko Hong
“She Whispers Korean in My Ear” by Tanya Ko Hong We were drinking homemade wine when my blonde friend told me Once I had a Korean boyfriend— his mother hated me but how I loved her food… She knew a bad Korean word— Whisper in my ear, I said Jajee, she said and her face bloomed red as a bong soong ah— my face cooled sub zero. Only a whore can use that word— horny women dirty women That’s not a bad word, I...
Sista-Girl by Louise McKinney
“Sista-Girl” by Louise McKinney “. . .and in between it’s nicotine and not much heart to fight. . .” —Sonny Burke She and me we complain rarely but sometimes softly and then only to each other. So as not to get on anyone’s last nerve feeling like—maybe just feel like giving up the fight, or if strapped for cash could just hit the jukes for some jazz. One night I might mutter to her (matter-a-fact) Girl, those...
Third Platoon Learns Cover & Concealment by Karen Skolfield
“Third Platoon Learns Cover & Concealment” by Karen Skolfield Our hair smelled of canvas and green. Alexis sat cross-legged and touched my cheekbone with one finger. She paused as she scanned my face: “light in the valleys, dark on the hills. I swear, you look good in green.” I wove leaves into her helmet, tried to stay still and shivered as she softened the lines from brown to green. We learned to move...
Delores (Part Two) by Esther Cohen
“Delores (Part Two)” by Esther Cohen My daughter Josephine some family I have they are a reality show I love every single one my daughter Josephine I have six children baby is 52 that doesn’t qualify for baby unless you’re her mother my daughter Josephine she is sixty this year still a wild card she’s the smartest one of all of them. Had a baby when she was 17. My first grandchild. She married Tom a handsome...
Delores (Part One) by Esther Cohen
“Delores (Part One)” by Esther Cohen My friend Delores she’s 82 beautiful missing a few body parts doesn’t let that get in her way makes money cleaning houses handsome lover named Jim one good leg that’s enough for me said Delores she got a big turkey for 8 dollars at Shoprite invited some people made 3 kinds of cookies including pumpkin oatmeal my friend Delores says she’s grateful for what she has for what...