Cleo Henry I am sorry to tell youthat in my short lifeI have failed to savetwo drowning swimmers. Their shaved chests, their blue caps -they could almost be twins.It could almost have beenthe same day twice. I dream that people stop mein the street, tell meswimmers often die this waybut that doesn’t explainwhy the water … Continue reading My Short Life

            Jen Feroze and the guy I read aboutwho can taste the London Underground Map.Maida Vale tangs with marmalade pith;Tower Hill’s a ginger beer ring pull, spice and fizz;Queensway is thick, sweet, rimmed with cream.This is about the falling, mind you,not necessarily the landing.I think about my mum’s best friend – colourblind, defining hues on others’ … Continue reading I think about falling in love

            Katie O'Pray I feel fraudulent in the meeting church. Playing guardianfor my big sister. Using up the water in the urn. The othercarers seem to know each other, how grief sits in eachcare-ee’s days, but some repeat it for our benefitwhen it’s their turn to share. Someone’s paid supportworker eyes the clock, taps on the … Continue reading The Bereavement Group

            Christopher Lloyd I imagine the plane exploding mid-air:shatter of metal & couples holding hands or, if not a blast, then the plane disappearing:we dip into a cloud & fail to emerge or, maybe we just cartwheel into the water:pierce the sea textured like elephant hide / shadows buoy on the water's surface sofar from where … Continue reading turbulence

            Christopher Lloyd I keep having this nightmare where I am bitten by babies & cats.it’s always the same: the tooth lodges in that arc between thumb& index. one night, a baby sheds its exterior, skin slipping in alldirections. it doesn’t seem to be in distress. I wake up soaked &it’s like I’m living in that … Continue reading the thing behind the diner in Mulholland Drive

            Deborah Scott Studebakerif the road is straight, advance two paces / if the sun is dying, step back again/ I’m not great with numbers / but maybe there’s some glitter on my hand             one blue city            two hornets in a pocket            three nouns that smell like bleach  if diagonals bode well for navigation / then horizon lines … Continue reading I Follow You Like a Murder Mystery

            Corinna Board When it’s done,when we’ve reached the point of no return and it’s too late to save ourselves.When all that’s left are lists of scientific names – plants and trees,creatures we’ll never see again. When even those are lost:the books and hard-drives, digital archives, photos uploaded to the cloud.When cloudless days are rhythmed only … Continue reading Extinction Event

            Toby Campion                                                                          caitlin my year three sweetheartsorry I didn’t make the wedding ceremony you laid outthe skipping ropes beautifully now you work supply in a secondary school                                                                              you’re in the library teachinga table of soft boys how to treat women who want them tucking the labelinto the neck of one of their grey … Continue reading palone—

            Izzy Radford Whilst Sam is choosing between two women and meeting the father from his past, I find a stray dog. I name him Pablo. Pablo and I get into all kinds of scrapes for 29 minutes. I don’t know where I live so we just go walking. When I return from the blackness, I … Continue reading B plot

            Dayle Olson When you get right down to it,it’s all beautiful. The crow flapping past on ragged wings,the half-fallen fruit tree,the clouds, gunmetal gray and titanium white,the exposed marshland made naked by an over-filled moon. The delicate window insect,the flute of a redwing blackbird,the weathered grain of the window frame where the Willapa windhas eaten the paint. … Continue reading Tokeland in March