The Story of Leo by Vashon Borich-Leach with art by Mary Arneson His chocolate brown, almond-shaped eyes gazed into hers. Around his face fell wisps of golden strawberry-blonde hair. He batted his long eyelashes at my mother. I knew from the look on her face, we were taking him home. I was a teenager and…
On the Mississippi by Edwin Woolsey with art by Freeman Payne Out of money, Roosevelt’s luck gradually changed. He agreed to build a self-propelled riverboat for Livingston and Fulton. Their ship would navigate the continent’s interior waterways. Constructing the vessel’s hull in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the internal machinery came by wagon from foundries in New York.…
From the journal of Jedidiah Bryson, June 7, 1885 by Joel Telschow with art by Freeman Payne Writers Artists Night 2022 On May 8th I was headed back from my brother’s place after helping him with a cow that was birthing. He doesn’t live but three miles away on the next bald. Hell, I can…
Hometown Heroes, Mid-States Wrestling by Joshua Heston & Noah Bray (Harrison, Arkansas) — Inside a steel farm building on the mountainous Boone County fairgrounds, the crowd gathers. Classic rock blares from speakers. The smell of BBQ pulled pork nachos wafts through the air. Blinding fluorescent light shines down on the ring. “Tease me, please me,…
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…
As the Battle Found Them (Remembering the Battle of Carthage, July 5, 1861) by Lisa Livingston-Martin & Joshua Heston The low May clouds are heavy with rain. A biting blackberry winter wind whips at the tall Missouri grass and the Civil War Ranch’s parking is in danger of turning to mud. The temperature falls. A…
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…