[Like Home (project:northside) / Samantha Cypret]

http://projectnorthside.wordpress.com/ “What is Ocala like?” “It’s like Rachelle’s backyard, only everywhere.” There’s a comfort in each step I take. I walk across the millions of fallen pine needles to an outlet of water that remains the same temperature all year. A blow-up raft is being held still in the dreaded marsh near the shore. It’s […]

[An Open Letter (or: An Indulgence in Sentimentality) (project:northside) / Leonard Owens III]

http://projectnorthside.wordpress.com/ Most (nay, all) of my life, I haven’t been a morning person. The allure of fresh coffee and gooey pastries and people bustling their lives out into the breaking day has never infected me. Now and then, I’ve strolled down to a beach bench for sunrises over the ocean while munching Burger King breakfast, […]

[Whore Movies and Bug Sex (project:northside) / David Castleman]

http://projectnorthside.wordpress.com/ I was sure I’d be late, having gone to bed hardly 4 hours ago, completely hung-over, and driving all the way across town, into the heart of the north side of Jacksonville. I had never been there, and even with plenty of time my directional skills are barely above Helen Keller. However, I was […]

[Attention, Jackrabbit (Therian Tales) / Jeff Jones]

Therian Tales To respire the universe. She’d like for everyone to at least almost know what that feels like—to stand under fur-black space and be full and warm from the night’s spreading vacancy. “You are all part of that. Let it fill you up,” she preaches aloud. “Let it fill you up, or fill yourselves […]

[Dragonfly Summer (Therian Tales) / Kyle Peterson]

Therian Tales Where the trees part and the water-lapped lily pads undulated before the reflections of clouds on the open lake, someone approaches. He keeps his head low and she materializes from the leaves like four-winged fliers, but his vision wandered the paths of her. Fringed moccasin boots dance in their steps. The folds of […]

[Fish (Therian Tales) / Alexa Velez]

Therian Tales The water falling from the sky was a strange sight. Raindrops splashed into the creature’s vision as dark clouds faded in and out, blending into angry smears. Between shallow breaths, shriveled lungs ached, not knowing how to pull oxygen from this atmosphere. Limbs no longer suspended, gravity was a strange sensation. Lifting a […]

[Seal Skin (Therian Tales) / Katieanne Randolph]

Therian Tales A palm reader told her once that she had salt on her skin, crusted into the creases of her hands. She remembers this, remembers the lights flashing on the fair rides and the smell of funnel cake and corndogs, the sweaty La Jolla night, the dry wind and the noise. The palm reader […]

[Beasts of Bullion (Therian Tales) / Alan Barrera]

Therian Tales The Goldman-Lynch Financial Bank was considered the epitome of financial institutions. A neo-classical beauty, the bank was decorated with painted murals, ancient architecture, and a giant golden bull outside of its doors. It handled numerous services. Many customers dropped off bundles of cash, entrusting the tellers to keep their funds in a safe […]

[Darkness Ensues (Therian Tales) / Jomaris Rodriguez]

Therian Tales The day was dark, bleak and carried a pungent odor not familiar to any of the residents of the area. A stench clouded the air, its sharp and sour nature leaving a trail that wilted everything it hovered over. One by one, each formerly blossomed flower bent as it shriveled in defeat. Grass […]

[Ready at a Moment’s Notice / Alan Barrera]

Etgar Keret’s “What Do We Have in Our Pockets” clarifies why he carries a collection of rudimentary objects. He details a fraction of the collection, which includes “a cigarette lighter, a cough drop, a postage stamp, a slightly bent cigarette, a tooth pick, a handkerchief, a pen, two five-shekel coins.” To other people the objects […]