LIFE, POETRY & PROSE

Where does our childhood go?

Featured Illustration: ‘Swing of Love’ by Darshan Sompura Where does our childhood go When we force ourselves to grow Does it sit in the broken swings Hugging itself tight, yearning For a warmth that will never come Does it lie under the covers Shining a bright light in the middle of the night Hoping for […]

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FEMINISM, POETRY & PROSE

Ugly Patriarchy

Woman, they say Your breasts get larger each day! It is now time  To find a man, they conclude Hands clasped together As if my fate is already agreed upon A fate written by the tears of mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, and cousins Engraved into our family history This long-held tradition Of tying our women up […]

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LIFE, POETRY & PROSE

half&half

Featured Image: Natalia Senanayake i’m like a warm coffee pot blend the paleness of milk, mixed with strength and aroma a blend of the two, learning balance and harmony. i stem from the cherry blossoms and willows rooted with love in the backyard oasis of my mother’s green thumb. and the new england drive horseshoe […]

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FEMINISM, MENTAL HEALTH, POETRY & PROSE

Stereotypes

Featured Image: Lucxama Sylvain Aged eleven I knew Black was not beautiful That my 4c coils, dark brown skin, and protruding curves Made me too big, loud, and ugly Not blond enough, small enough, or white enough I was a sore thumb in a sea of white A sidekick in some white girl’s life Nice […]

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LIFE, POETRY & PROSE

Orange Bites

I sink my teeth into the skin of an orange child  blossoming from the furtive beginnings of youth,  hissing as ocherous juice spurts into my eyes, a vengeance  siphoned from the soft muscle I pulled apart.  In that moment of blindness, I can see Spring looming  over my seated form, spouting nonsense about the child  […]

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LIFE, POETRY & PROSE

My father

Featured Artwork: ‘Hand Studies Charcoal’ by Matt Mozgiel   is meticulous lithe fingers cupping my cheeks toned from a thousand hours in latex gloves quivering with concentration and intent working tirelessly to come home to his daughter who’d barrel into his fatigued arms and the exhaustion would evaporate is gentle a sleeve darkened with a […]

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FOOD & NUTRITION, MENTAL HEALTH, POETRY & PROSE

Catherine

Featured Artwork: ‘Anxiety’ by aaakeith Trigger Warning: Eating Disorders . . . Catherine comes over the night before  Thanksgiving with her mother   She was my first best friend my unofficial older sister the girl I wanted to be when I grew up   I was six She was nine   We had just read […]

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