“Culpabilité” By Valerie Fowler Set in the 1990s when home phones hummed, goodbyes took their time, and calls lingered in dead air before letting go. Pastel dawn nudges night from the sky over Pétion-Ville, Haiti. Warm rays press gently against the window, caressing Pierre’s sleeping silhouette. Red hibiscus petals catch the first light, perfuming the … Read more
This story contains themes or mentions of physical violence, gore, or abuse. It’s a mortuary fact that dead bodies should not be buried without a banana. Most of the dead people around our town drink too much coffee and spout their mouths out in public, then they just die, die, and the explosive parts of … Read more
This story contains sensitive content (*warning; Implied racism and mentions of slavery. *) THE LAST MAN KNEELING The man in the painting was nameless, but he knew three things for certain: 1. He was depicted kneeling on a plush red carpet, his face locked in a stern expression as he gazed into the … Read more
This story contains sensitive content Before I even saw your face, I had the wrapper picked out. It was made of crimson Ankara, adorned with golden flowers outlined in black. I had others, of course – which Yoruba woman doesn’t? But that one was yours. When I first pressed you against my back and … Read more
Once, there was a café that was always abuzz with life and chatter. In its storefront was a large window and this window’s favorite pastime was to eavesdrop on the crowds that filled the café. There was always a wide array of characters and topics to choose from: woes from a girl confiding in … Read more