Burning Word is a quarterly publication and forum focussing on emerging writers of poetry and short fiction. More →
The doe is dead, devoured by hounds. Her bones lie by the river’s edge. Curled small, small is never long; her body will grow and cast away the brush that veils her. Her fair spots will fade with time. It’s the sparrows that call her to run, to stretch her legs long and flee. But the fawn, she listens to the leaves whispering that it is safe to stay.
Read more →well here I was, facing another locked drawer without a key, and not just metaphorically, although there is that. thinking more crap that you accumulated and left me to deal with; more coins, more stamps, more bills, a neatly rubber-banded bundle of Publishers Sweepstakes entries never sent in but saved because god knows why.
Read more →I went to your memorial last Thursday but you were not there in your place was an old photo you on your horse full head of poorly cut hair accidentally hip. The woman spoke about energy, afterlife and rejoining your ancestors. While we bowed our heads you reached into your holster drew your revolver and [...]
Read more →Cold meat covered in thin white cotton. One foot protrudes. Mouth agape, drools silently. Teeth removed, stored neatly on the roll-away table. As if you might get warm, or wake up and need to chew. Sourness—a look or a feeling? I’m not sure. Mislabeled television controls. I’ll see what I can do to fix this [...]
Read more →I love you, I told him Meals on wheels didn’t come ’til three o’clock He’s pissed I love you too, he said, trying to swallow it back down * Rewind, thirty years: Leisure suit and perm aside, Dad’s never changed Trouble with women, he says, they just want to be happy He never remarried Thanksgiving [...]
Read more →The rogue state is diseased United in fear and delusion of grandeur An identity of artificial construct Borders drawn in blood and hate Symbols and assertions confuse nation with individual, desire with right, loyalty with heroism Obsolete and unaware the patriot is the enemy of mankind
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