Kalliope, Vol. XXI:3

KALLIOPE, A JOURNAL OF WOMEN'S LITERATURE & ART

Kalliope - Vol. XXI:3

Selections From This Issue:

Flash Fiction & Prose Poetry - Introduction
Safety Tips by Michelle Perez
Requiem in F Minor by J.B. Bernstein

Safety Tips
by Michelle Perez

                                          As a car goes under, follow the bubbles to the top, and the
                                         moment before water fills the car's chamber breathe in the
                                          remaining air then kick open the door --- the pressure now
                                                                                            being equal inside and out.

It is important not to panic.
Gradually, the third, now only, witness drove her car to a dark boat ramp where night rolled steeply into water. Perhaps she tried three times to turn around, rolling her sons' names on her tongue as the struggle echoed through the burgundy cave, and her bowels shifted.

It is important not to be strapped in.
Rural shadows pulled her to the edge where she put the car in drive and released the hand brake, leaving her two boys buckled into safety. Under the guise of camphorweed and late October, the small town settled into black liquid sun.

It is important to remain calm.
At the last moment, she jumped out ... fled across the field, covering her ears from the baffled cries, as muddy tired, fenders, doors --- then a cell of moons slipped beneath the murky surface, and they welcomed the lake in their lungs.

It is important not to be children.