Miriam Levine: They Call It Menopause
my brain
lit up with fantasies in
which I was dominant, a top,
not on men but women.
My thrusts were cruel.
Video: Sandstorm
In Seemab Gul’s short film “Sandstorm,” a schoolgirl in Karachi sends a dance video to her virtual boyfriend, but her innocent flirtation turns dark when he attempts to blackmail her. … Continue reading
Tony Gloeggler: Blessings
The moral of these stories is that all blessings are mixed —From John Updike’s TOO FAR TO GO These days we make appointments to play slow motion basketball in Long … Continue reading
Carol Moldaw: Road Trip to Planned Parenthood
Only one hazmat-suited
protester outside the two-block buffer zone
shouldered a sign stapled to a plywood cross
that proclaimed a woman’s regret inevitable.
Song of Songs, Canticles 1-8
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys[….]
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
Abayomi Animashaun: History Lesson
On the wall is a map of places, the so-called explorers
— Mungo Park and the rest of them —
Discovered. But did they know
Of my longing to kiss you tonight?
Video: Durango
Durango follows Aaron and TJ through aimless days spent diving from cliffs, lighting fireworks and chatting about girls, as the siblings’ uncertain future lingers in the background.
Skye C. Cleary: Simone de Beauvoir recommends we fight for ourselves as we age
Elderhood is an opportunity to turn to ourselves, to be more responsive to our own needs, and less obliged to other people.
Rebecca Weiner Tompkins: Adultery
Dark pines and thin silvery trees
throw shadows on your face lowering to meet mine;
we make love, wrapped in heavy coats,
knees bumping glove box and seatback.
Video: Nat’s Story | Their Love
Nat experiences oppression, xenophobia and misgendering from their own family. Their mother has a spiritual experience that reveals the importance of honoring their child’s nonbinary identity. The film parallels crossing the US-Mexico border and traversing the gender binary.
Meg Pokrass & Jeff Friedman: Wig
The wig arrived in a pretty pink box. I’d ordered it online from a wig shop. Silky, blonde and long, it felt as if I were entertaining a movie star in my hallway. Grace Kelly in a box on my couch. So nice to meet you, I said, slipping it on.
Jeffrey Harrison: The Mount
the blue-jeaned ass of the one on top
moving up and down, pelvis cramming
noiselessly into the rump of the one
underneath, whose vacant eye
caught mine for an instant as I walked past
Alexis Rhone Fancher: Post Mortem
It’s the last time, I swear, except this time I mean it. The last time I mourn Kate so hard I don’t eat, unless you consider alcohol a meal. The last time I drive drunk the five miles to Chuck’s house, at midnight, despondent, disheveled, swigging Stoli…
Emily Dickinson: Wild nights — Wild nights!
Wild nights – Wild nights!
Were I with thee
Wild nights should be
Our luxury!
