Recursions (2016 Fiction Prize)

Fiction
  The snake is back. It’s in the middle of the living room and it has taken a bite of its tail. It’s eating itself. Or maybe not eating, just...I…

A Poetry Reading with Alan Shapiro

Announcements
Poet Alan Shapiro, author of numerous acclaimed poetry collections, including Reel to Reel, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and Night of the Republic, a finalist for the National Book…

Cicada Song

Fiction
  Spring rains had cut little gullies into the caliche topping beyond the cattle guard. Washed out the soil beneath right down to the hardpan. I got off my bike…

The Leave-taking

Fiction
  That last night at home, Michael sat with his father at the fireside, barely an arm’s reach apart, the turf in the hearth between them burning shades of fox-fur…

Old Stonington, Connecticut: 1989

Fiction
  Each night at dusk we built our fire in the usual spot, back from the water’s edge, camouflaged by white-barked birches and scraggly pines. We sprawled our bodies across…

Cattle Country

Fiction
  There was no warning when the cattle turned. Just an October day like any other. It was weaning season, and they were peeling the yearlings from their mothers, so…

virginity

poetry
  Since he had a girlfriend (now gay), we met just inside the chapel doors, only to descend the stairs separately, like spies, or, in truth, I forget, but I…

Maqloobah

poetry
  after Allison Wilkins I cannot tell you how the olive oil is first harvested from my neighbor’s trees. How the cauliflower is cut into bouquets, eggplant sliced and divided…