Macanaw by Freeman Payne (with artwork by Mike Faith) Writers Artists Night 2021 Alex was born on July 15, 1975. His harrowing tale of ritualized sexual abuse he received as a child sex slave went unreported. His family used him sexually, sold him for orgies, and photographed him with his sister. People took him at…
A Love Note by Betsey Mae Graves (with art by Julie Zetina) Writers Artists Night 2021 A love note written to my husband for our wedding Just a little note my love Just a little note I wrote To remind you where I am Wound up in between your thoughts Projects pieces strewn about Is…
A Conversation with Dementia by Beth Schulz (with art by Freeman Payne) Writers Artists Night 2021 February: Would you like to go to the store with me, Dad? I have a few groceries I need. Sure! I like going grocery shopping with you. I like going grocery shopping with you too, Dad. I love you,…
The Old Man by Josh Huxtable (with art by Jessica Farmer) Writers Artists Night 2021 This is a story about a man I met when I was just a small boy in the summer of 1942. My name is Danny. And this old man I’m going to tell you about, he had me call him…
My Mother’s Hands by Estella Padgett (with art by Jenny Judlin) Writers Artists Night 2021 My mother’s hands have always amazed me. I noticed then as a child, but appreciated them more as an adult. They made me pause to reflect and were the source of much revelation and affectionate memories. I noticed the arthritis…
A Thoughtful Drive by Cindy Thomas with artwork by Brent Holland Writers Artists Night 2021 Leaving U.S. Highway 65 at Leslie, Arkansas, Highway 66 meanders through the Ozark hills toward Mountain View. It winds past communities whose dominant—or only—feature is a gas station or tiny post office, alongside the occasional country church. Gently sloping from…
Who’s Got Beef with Being a Sheep? by Matt Farmer (with art by Lacey Finchum) Writers Artists Night 2021 I’m going deep on being a sheep. You know what I speak. You’ve read the tweets. “Be unique people! Don’t be sheeple. Think for yourselves. All thoughts are not equal.” We speak bleak and make mean…
The Rider Joel Telschow (with art by Bob Bell) Writers Artists Night 2021 I’m a lost soul searchin’, I’m a wandering man All through the desert with what I had planned. There’s no truth in darkness, though somehow it seems, That somebody’s watching, says he’s gonna set me free. I look over my shoulder and…
Contagion of Red by Marshall Howden (with art by Kaitlynn Robinson) Writers Artists Night 2021 Have you heard the tale of the red headed squire who challenged the Scarlett Kings? No, I haven’t either…because the terrible Crimson Dynasty burned every page written about him. But, there were some who remembered. Rumors spread at the edge…
Brady’s Story by Edwin Woolsey (with art by Vashon Borich-Leach) Writers Artists Night 2021 Brady started his journey on February 15, 1995, on a day almost like today. He was a little red-headed boy, full of life. Genuinely good, he loved hunting with Dad, fishing with Pap-paw, and working cement at their side. He lived…