How A Civilization Begins by Richard Vargas

by Oscar Mireles | Jul 31, 2023 | Magazine Article

I have edited three anthologies of Latino poetry and fiction featuring almost a hundred Wisconsin poets and writers, including Martín Espada, Ruth Behar, and former Milwaukee Poet Laureate Brenda Cardenas. I would add to that distinguished roster Richard Vargas, who...

Sometimes Creek by Steve Fox

by Anthony Bukoski | Jul 31, 2023 | Magazine Article

In “Exile,” the first story in Steve Fox’s debut collection, the author prepares us for the narrative, linguistic, and grammatical surprises to come. An adolescent encounters a homeless man who offers him a drink from a paper bag. “You are a polite boy from Wisconsin....

Keep On

by Alexandria Delcourt | Jul 31, 2023 | Magazine Article

I saw you sitting on the roof that night,the stars having descendedFrom their dusty perches to hangLike old dreams from your shirt pocket. I watched you for a long time, afraidOf the ghosts sitting to your side.It has always been that way for me,A hereditary fear...

This Is First Son | Second Son

by Nick Sengstock | Jul 31, 2023 | Magazine Article

This is firecrackerfuse out, of the mouthof a mostly-dead fish,scooped from the bait binwhere our grandpawould keep a few—fireworks in the handsof too young boyswith too much timeand not enough teaching. This is balled fist bustin face of younger brotherfor little...

Shiny Lures

by Elizabeth Harrahy | Jul 31, 2023 | Magazine Article

She lifts two buckets from his truckbefore he can tell her what to do.The clank and weight of skimmers, rodsand spinning reels, plastic tackle boxesfull of lures that once fascinated, nowweigh her down, pull her shoulderstoward the ground. He grabs the auger,heads...