So Liberating

by Thomas Sullivan

I exit the bus, leaving behind a Bluetooth guy who is laughing about his restraining order. At the 7-11 I encounter a guy on a cellular, who is pacing back and forth, angrily grinding a sneaker on the ground. He breathes in hard and then barks, “He never answers his goddamn phone!” I stroll past in a disconnected peace, thinking gee, I wonder why that is. These things really are liberating. Especially for the embittered people you used to be able to easily avoid.

6S

Thomas Sullivan's writing has appeared in Word Riot and 3AM Magazine, among others. His memoir of teaching drivers education (titled Life In The Slow Lane) is forthcoming from Uncial Press in February, 2010. To read more of Thomas’ writing please visit editred.

Night Depository

by M.J. Iuppa

Nearly midnight, I can barely believe it’s true. The news touched me in the same way your hand did – once again, it passed over the length of my body. Did I turn to salt or marble or ash when you said you wanted to love me for a long time? I’m bankrupt. Civil words fold into a sealed envelope. Beneath the streetlight, I hesitate, knowing what once made me furious in love became death’s subtraction.

6S

M.J. Iuppa is the Writer-in-Residence and Director of the Arts Minor program at St. John Fisher College.