The Noble Horse | Lisa Regen

"For the most part, horses are quiet. They neigh only to each other. In pain they are silent. If you are listening you might notice the stomp of a foot, the swish of a tail, their gentle breath..."

Not Crying | Sally K Lehman

"Inez was bigger than me, older than me. And she was heavier, not just because of age. She was one of those kids with a stomach that sticks out ahead, who walks through the world belly first..."

Inner Fire | Adam Strong

"I want to cheer and dance around, but I let the warm inside my chest do that for me. It feels like winning and winning is not a thing I am used to doing..."

Portuguese Paradise | Carlo Matos

"...my feet aching still from all those polyester dirges on streets covered in flower petals like byzantine tiles..."