Flash Frog
Small. Brightly colored. Deadly to the touch.
Category: Uncategorized
Migration of the Sandhill Cranes by Lisa Thornton
The North Platte River was nearly dry, long sand banks exposed. She watched a guy in a Funyuns T-shirt eating Cheetos gas up his Penske. Passing a semi, her husband pointed at the words Isaiah 50:3 written in dirt on the back door. I… Continue Reading “Migration of the Sandhill Cranes by Lisa Thornton”
The Groupchat Version by Caroline Kahlenberg
Sammy stands atop his mattress, arms-crossed, chin-out, and declares he’s not tired, “not even a yittle bit.” It sounds cute but it’s 10:23pm and we’ve been here an hour, and egg-free/dairy-free/gluten-free cupcakes for tomorrow’s Valentine’s party char in the oven, so when Sammy bends… Continue Reading “The Groupchat Version by Caroline Kahlenberg”
Between the Salad Forks by Kailum Graves
After the divorce, the first one appeared between the salad forks. I had opened the cutlery drawer looking for something ordinary to do with my hands. It was late. The kitchen light was the wrong kind of bright. On the draining board sat one… Continue Reading “Between the Salad Forks by Kailum Graves”
Don’t Chase by Miriam Gershow
The lost dog sign was stapled to a telephone pole, one corner flapping in the wind. Don’t chase, the sign read. Will run away, with a picture of a dog—fluffy little terrier, wet muzzle—between Don’t chase and Will run away. “Perfect description of me,”… Continue Reading “Don’t Chase by Miriam Gershow”
The Robot Trombonist by Matt Leibel
One afternoon at band practice, the robot picked up one of Billy’s bones and brought it to his metal polymer lips. Billy was our first trombonist—but Billy had ears. And after hearing the robot blow just a few bars, Billy knew his days of… Continue Reading “The Robot Trombonist by Matt Leibel”
Property Line by Elena Rotzokou
The year the sinkhole opened behind Marla’s house we were already halfway through the brisket and three handles of vodka, the folding tables bowing under deviled eggs sweating in paprika, the kids ricocheting between the trampoline and the inflatable pool while the dogs patrolled… Continue Reading “Property Line by Elena Rotzokou”
She and Dog by Al Faraone
She thinks the universe is mostly errands. Dog thinks it is mostly smells. This seems like a disagreement, but it works. At Edgewater Park, the lake is doing its big quiet pretending-to-be-calm thing, which makes her trust it even though she knows better. Dog… Continue Reading “She and Dog by Al Faraone”
Parhelion, Hurrah! by Travis Flatt
Three knocks at the gate. I look at my son, Tristan, and whisper, “Think it’s safe?” “That’s the signal,” he says. “Then see who it is.” He slides the couch cushion open, allowing in some living room light and releasing some morning breath from… Continue Reading “Parhelion, Hurrah! by Travis Flatt”
Y by Mary Anne Griffiths
My father is packing his suitcase. There are six pairs of underwear mother has whitened to a crisp. He packs a rabbit foot my little sister Rajna had given to him on his birthday. He neatly adds a Penthouse magazine. He has also packed his penis. This, however,… Continue Reading “Y by Mary Anne Griffiths”
Census by Adam Murray
The government sent a man to count the dead in Iztapalapa—the murder capital of Mexico. He wore clean shoes, so everyone knew he wouldn’t stay long. By noon the heat had softened his clipboard. The ink bled slightly, as if the numbers were melting.… Continue Reading “Census by Adam Murray”