Art: "Curves and Peaks" by Ann Keeling

Poetry: "four a.m." by MC Jones

i lie in our bed

awake not asleep

until the bed is no longer a bed 

but a window 

where the barred owl

croons, who— 

my ears become sharper 

and for a moment, i forget

my desire to 

river away 

in an old jag (no, older)

silver, chromed out, with red worn leather, a rickety window crank

and the roof, missing

 

Published August 27th 2024

MC Jones‘ poems have appeared previously in Berkeley Poetry Review, Poetry International, Ethel, Scapegoat Review, and elsewhere. 

Ann Keeling’s writing and art have been published in such journals as Cut Me Up Magazine, Jellyfish Review, Tint Journal, The Disappointed Housewife, Quarterly West, defunct magazine, Lucky Jefferson, Commuter Lit, and more. She is a former dancer/choreographer who spends her time writing and collaging in Morro Bay, California.