by Oona Robertson Family dinner. Suddenly, at the dinner table, she stops eating. First a bend at the neck, then head, a leadening. The body always follows. Her fork skids into the depths of bare feet, her torso long and stretching sideways. It is almost imperceptible, the slow fall and then she is dangled, her… [Read More]
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q+1 Issue: Self Control
by Oona Robertson I take a small pill every day that does not sustain me. The point is nothing happens. All flesh remains stable, womb empty, hormones balanced, pain a heartbeat, base note of my body’s self-understanding. I could tell you why I take them; Pain, however, is no story in itself. My pain is… [Read More]
Memorial Fund in Honor of Our Reader’s Spouse
We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Matt Heighes, partner of Witness reader & UNLV poetry MFA Katie McKenzie. Our hearts go out to Katie and her daughter, June, as we look to offer support in this difficult time.
Celebrating Pride, with a Reminder
Equality for all is worth fighting for. Stand proud, but don’t forget to also stand with those still in the fight. Keep it up. On all fronts! We’re with you. PRIDE AS PROTEST | BLACK LIVES MATTER
q+1 Issue: Tree of Heaven
by Nathan Alling Long I’d seen Trip at the school bus stop for years, but hadn’t ever talked to him. Not more than a hello. He lived on a farm down the road, and it wasn’t until the summer I turned fifteen, just as school was ending that year, that his dad came over and… [Read More]
q+1 Issue: A Letter from the Editors
Dear Readers, Witness Capsule Issues is a project imagined by the editorial staff to expand our readership and to grow our community of writers and the voices we are able to feature, doubling down on our mission to raise voices and stories of those who are underrepresented. q+1 is our first installment, featuring work from writers… [Read More]
q+1 Issue: The Buzzer
by Kate Tooley The outside buzzer has been ringing since she got into the bath. It started as a series of long zzzings, progressed through an array of quasi-musical rhythms, and now, one hour later, has settled into the tempo of an old dog snoring. There’s only one other tenant in the building and he… [Read More]
q+1 Issue: Under the Door
by Kate Tooley When I’m grown up, I won’t be afraid of anything. She whispers, digging her toes into the mattress, her body rigid under the daisy printed quilt. She’s sweating but is too frightened to push it off. There’s nothing in her room that scares her, but there is a knife-edge of light under… [Read More]
q+1 Issue: Cranky Pants
by Kate Tooley Everyone knows when you’re wearing the cranky pants. You know. You feel it as the fabric slides up your legs and bumps a little too hard into your crotch. And you think “why today.” You’re not going to be comfortable again as long as you have them on. They don’t always look… [Read More]
q+1 Issue: Deerheart
by Josie Levin I tried to avoid Alicia at school. It was easy, considering we were in different classes, except lunch. But we had to eat lunch together for two days because Alicia ate a weird gray and pink meat called vetesan. “What’s vetesan?” I had asked, leaning over her shoulder to look in… [Read More]
q+1 Issue: Digressions on Rain
by Lacey N. Dunham STORM Against the gray sky, Nala dances to Satie’s Gymnopédies, the soft chords held close like a child. I hesitate in the doorway and watch her, umbrella at my side. The tiny bells around Nala’s ankles shimmer an ecclesiastic glissando as she dances in tune with the rain, a streak of… [Read More]
q+1 Issue: The Price of Things
by Lacey N. Dunham They sprawl on the yellow lawn, stomachs stretched to the sun. The August day dies around them. They are sixteen and want everything—anything—but theirs is a small town, rural. Maybe they have choices; maybe they don’t. Each one dreams of rescue and excitement, but adventure begs for money and Tina’s… [Read More]