I dreamed a dozen dreams
with my knees brought up
propped against the steering wheel,
my bladder taut…
From “December Dreaming” by Luke Otley
Contributors: Steve Luria Ablon, Andrew Bertaina, Abby Caplin, Taylor Han, Lisa Harris, Luke Otley, Dylan Taylor
Let us know what you think! Tell us about your favorite piece in this issue using the comments section below.
I love how Dues and Don’t by Dylan Taylor weaves together the mundane details of everyday life with extreme images of the human body (like a scarf made of both sheep and human hair). Having established that humanity is boring and leaking no end of liquids from fallible bodies, Taylor then suggests, with a simmering rage below the surface, that we’re doomed anyway. Will it be such a loss? A brilliant story. I would love to read more by this author.
Thrilled to have my poem published by you guys, thanks again!
The voice of the protagonist in Dylan Taylor’s Dues and Don’ts made me laugh out loud. The story reminds us to step back and chuckle at the absurdities of life (and impending death). How odd that what is good to wrap around our bodies for warmth or put in our mouths changes so much depending on context. How strange that we think our lottery numbers are due to come up but that the end of Earth isn’t due to rain down.
I think Abby Caplin’s poem was terrific! I’ve read her pieces in other literary venues and always find her works excellent. Please consider including more of her work in future issues!!
“Three Women” by Lisa Harris. Through three delightful sketches, we meet Sylvia, Susan, and Zelda and with each encounter comes a deeper understanding of the trials and smiles of middle age. I’m immediately reminded of a long ago wedding and a minister’s plea: “…and surprise them with moments of happiness.” Sylvia’s eleven kinds of happiness, Susan’s desire and repugnance, and Zelda’s impatience and despair tell us more about life than any textbook ever could. Well done. And may these three characters someday show up in a full-length novel!
“Three Women” by Lisa Harris. These stories delve into the minutiae and details of everyday life and are masterfully depicted through her writing. I’ve come to expect nothing less from Lisa.
Dylan Taylor’s Due’s and Don’ts had me giggling, and contemplating simotaneously. It strikes a perfect balance between wit, weird, and thought provoking! Loved the piece!
There are some great pieces in this issue, all very enjoyable to read. In my opinion, humor is one of the best forms of writing, and the most enjoyable. For this reason, I really liked Dylan Taylor’s Dues and Don’ts. The three short fictions paint beautifully comical truths about humanity. I’d love to read more from this author.
Lisa Harris’s story sketches quiet, complex moments in the lives of three women, deftly evoking their larger lives. Lovely prose.
Lisa Harris has skillfully lured me into “Three Women”. She has imbued an element of mystery into each of the “ordinary” women. Sylvia and her “green pills” and the presence of the number eleven ending with the eleventh finger of a newborn grandchild. Susan grieving her grandmother and the loss of material connection except for a piano while entering into marriage with “Wishes”. Tea making Zelda and the tapping thrumming fingers of her father’s ghost. Lisa leaves me wanting to learn more about these women. Ordinary women – extraordinary writing.
I really enjoyed Dues and Don’ts by Dylan Taylor. I won’t restate what has already been said about it, though I agree with much of it, but one thing that really stood out to me is the rhythm of his writing. Even in such a short piece he manages to create a very satisfying sense of pacing and rhythm that makes reading this work a joy. I look forward to reading more by him.
This is my first time visiting this site. I really liked Dues and Don’ts by Dylan Taylor, might have to see are there more stories from him on your site.
Lovely quiet poem by Abby Caplin…
I loved Dishwashers by Abby Caplin…it took me right into the scene, into the dilemma, into the love…well said!!!
I loved Abby Caplin’s poem, “Dishwashers”! Through her words and descriptions, I was there at the sink myself. We’ve all had Thanksgivings like this. ” . . . Forks, intimate with 14 pairs of lips.” Very sweet.
I appreciate the readers’ feedback on THREE WOMEN, and I am grateful to CTS for publishing my story in this issue.