Flash Frog
Small. Brightly colored. Deadly to the touch.
Category: Uncategorized
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”
Pickle Juice by Kelly Pedro
When the water comes, it seeps through the windows. Dad says that’s because the windows are wood and rotten, just like Mom’s teeth, just like her breath that always smells like pickle juice and Mom hollers that if Dad keeps insulting her, she’ll turn… Continue Reading “Pickle Juice by Kelly Pedro”
Lone Shooter by Sage Tyrtle
At the playground, a five-year-old boy levels an invisible rifle at my nursing baby. He’s standing on a rope bridge between the slide and the monkey bars, and he sights like we are a doe and her fawn. Dizzy with rage, I stand up… Continue Reading “Lone Shooter by Sage Tyrtle”
Leaving by Wasima Khan
*THE BLUE FROG 1st PLACE WINNER* Introduction by Guest Judge Dr. CAMILLE U. ADAMS Leaving opens with one of the longest sentences in this beautiful flash piece that otherwise makes use of clauses that are punchy, concise, informational, and brief. This first sentence contains… Continue Reading “Leaving by Wasima Khan”
Doesn’t That Sound Great, Mary Beth? by Jessica Klimesh
*THE BLUE FROG 2nd PLACE WINNER* The first lie Mary Beth told her boyfriend was that she wanted kids. She heard it come out of her mouth in a voice disconnected from her brain, an auto-pilot answer, like when you’re at a store and… Continue Reading “Doesn’t That Sound Great, Mary Beth? by Jessica Klimesh”
Lies I Tell My Children (#17) by Ruth Joffre
*THE BLUE FROG 3rd PLACE WINNER* If they ask me for a little brother or sister to play with, I’ll tell them all about the egg I’ve been incubating in the attic: the size of it, the slick red surface of its shell, as… Continue Reading “Lies I Tell My Children (#17) by Ruth Joffre”
River Keeps by Cathy Ulrich
What is lost in the river is all the things thrown or dropped or tossed: keys and beer bottles and a silver-plated bracelet with a clasp that came undone and someone’s bag they didn’t want, a plastic bag filled with mewling things, and here… Continue Reading “River Keeps by Cathy Ulrich”