20231031

Crossing Over

by Fatima Ray

At eighteen waiting for the light to turn green at the intersection in the big city thirty miles from home. Observing all the people waiting to cross with me, who could be anybody just like me, or I could be anybody just like them. Each of us stepping into the crosswalk simultaneously, with some sort of intention to get somewhere more important from where we’ve just been. Asking myself who the hell I am, this person dressed up heading to her first job interview. Noticing that I’m among all these strangers heading in the same direction, my heart begins pounding my breath coming in quick spurts. I remember to slow down, having accomplished crossing the street before the light turns red.

6S

Fatima Ray, now in her 70s, has just begun her exploration of writing due to a friend needing a ride to his poetry writing group.

20231021

Doubt

by JS O’Keefe

Ever wonder if the current societal breakdown is due to free-market globalization, or the shocking inequality between rich and poor, or a different reason? Simply put, there’s no longer trust among people. For example, considering my own circle, Heinzy, my hunting buddy and also my butcher, is the closest person to me. Still, I don’t fully trust him. He used to be missing three fingers, now four. Something’s wrong; I just can’t put my finger on it.

6S

JS O’Keefe is a scientist, trilingual translator, and prosimetrum writer. His short stories and prosimetra have been published in Every Day Fiction, Microfiction Monday, 6S, 50WS, Paragraph Planet, FFF, Rainbow Salad, and Medium.

20231020

2nd Cousins

by Brad Rose

Our feet dangle in the chlorine-blue water, as we sit on the edge, at the deep end of pool. Clarise wears cutoffs and a polka dot bikini top. Rising from her chaise lounge, her mom, my aunt Beulah, promises to return in 5 minutes with egg salad sandwiches, and disappears behind the house’s sliding glass doors. Clarise scutters closer, leans in, and splashes a wet kiss on this 13-year old’s shocked lips. Don’t worry, Clarence, she sneers. After all, we’re only second cousins.

6S

Brad Rose's website is here.