Wild Violet Contest Winners
After careful consideration by our judges, we are pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Writing Contests. Fiction: “Chocolate Spider Web”— Luke Hawley “The Pink Pack” — Susan E. Tornga “Love Letter” — Michael Turner Honorable Mentions: “Men and Smokes” by Jennifer Annessi and “The Point Of No Return” by Elizabeth Benton Poetry: “Midwife Man” — Ellen LaFleche “Traveling People Part I — Dissociative Blues” — Robert McMullen “Terminal Opera” — Finley Ballard Evans Honorable...
Read MoreChocolate Spiderweb
“Whoever invented almond bark is a genius.” The microwave beeps and my sister grabs two oven mitts off the counter. She stabs the door latch on the microwave, and the door springs open. She reaches into the microwave and pulls out a glass measuring bowl full of melted brown chocolate. “Seriously. Genius.” She carries the bowl across the kitchen to the far counter. A sheet of wax paper has been laid out across the Formica. She sets the bowl on the counter and opens the cupboard overhead. It is full of sugar. ...
Read MoreThe Pink Pack
She clung to the backpack as if she could not endure the separation that strapping it across her back would entail. Stick-thin arms encircled the neon pink bundle with such force that I thought the contents would erupt like lava from a caldera. My daughter — my heart knots at the word — was four years and three months old the day I met her, and I’m ashamed to admit that her pack was what the first thing I noticed, not the satiny tresses that cascaded in a black waterfall over her shoulders, or those enormous onyx eyes. I had yet to discover that one tiny scarlet shoe was...
Read MoreLove Letter
The first time we went to the carnival I got so scared on the Ferris wheel that I pissed my pants. I know exactly when it happened. They speed up the wheel just as it’s entering its final spin. I had put on a brave face until then, refusing to tell you that I’m afraid of heights. I wanted to impress you. First date. When we got off the ride, you stepped off in front of me, and I walked closely behind you, arms thrown over your shoulders, careful not to let my crotch touch you. When we turned a corner and were away from people, I spun you around...
Read MoreMidwife Man
Julia wants to die in the hot tub but the fool doctor says no, too dangerous. It’s her time. Blood-bag sky, full moon aching like a cervix. I boil hot-tub water. Turn on the pulsating jets, light a patchouli circle of candles. I dress Julia in her black silk pajamas, detach the morphine pump from her stuttering pulse. She is all skin and eaten-out bone, weightless in my arms as a sac of flute-song. I sit on the edge of the tub, bearded legs opening like a woman’s, and ease my Julia into water. Her black pajamas blacken. Julia cannot swallow but she holds a wine glass, ...
Read MoreTraveling People Part I — Dissociative Blues
She has tears and red eyes In the airport Sitting just steps Away Waiting to fly Waiting to escape her broken world Waiting She bows her head Down Staring into the palms Of her hands Lines Of a life she thought was hers Lost eyes run along the line until It comes to an end And there...
Read More