University of San Francisco's Student-Run Literary Magazine
by Joan Gaustad Part 1: AN INKLING “Does it get any easier after three months?” my neighbor asks as I watch him shove hollyhock seeds, South of France-style, between the alley cobblestones next to his narrow townhouse. We’ve rarely spoken in decades of close proximity, and it takes me a moment to understand what he… Continue reading Why We Stay
by Allen Keith The only faces left are on the clock and the shocked sockets of my walls; one staring back from a mirror, dazed, looking a thousand yards deeper than need be. I asked for this, wanted it, fought for it. It takes effort to attain solitude in a city of six million morons.… Continue reading Cheers
by Vivian Lawry Charlie settles his junk into the leopard-patterned thong and turns side to side, admiring his ink. He hip-checks the dresser drawer that holds his work clothes: thongs in animal prints, solid metallic silks, leathers soft as bridal gloves, paisleys and florals, geometric designs, and specialty ones for holidays. The holiday designs—sequins, hearts,… Continue reading Inked Man
by Kayla Jessop She stole Barney. Before the thievery, the deep purple and bright green dinosaur sat upright, perched against the large, bulky TV stand in our small living room. His once soft fabric was now ruffled and torn, scratchy with the amounts of matted lint trapped in the fur from my sister’s constant, brutal… Continue reading On The Run
In Memory of W.S. Merwin by Trina Gaynon You opened a door to a nightmare. I don't Remember where the walk took me. I cannot tell. Shadows on shadows clouded my vision Of broken lands. Long blue shadows would reign, Made colder by rare blue skies of a belated Spring. Mostly, our sun hides its… Continue reading The Last One
by Kirby Michael Wright Few read anymore, so engraving my poem on a marker is a waste. Buying a plot's pricey too. Cremation? A bargain if I catch a deal making an advanced purchase. Feed my ashes to that giant Norfolk with the ocean view. Pray for my soul during feeding? Forget it. Instead, play… Continue reading Final Request of a Poet
by Marina Hill Hudson sat on the dirty plastic seat on the six train on November sixth, riding downtown to work. Middle of the week. Saturday could not come faster even if it wanted to. Saturday knew it was most desired and loved to play the tease—cheeky bastard. New Yorkers shoved their way into the… Continue reading AirPods on the Six Train
by Erin Jamieson at three in the morning you wake her: how would you like to go on an adventure? her eyes, i imagine, wild & bright with the prospect of time w/ you & even though it’s sleeping & no one is out you drive with her. when i wake i know something is… Continue reading Car Ride
by Kenton K. Yee Go ahead, whet your tongue It's fragrant, flavorful—roses for noses. You like its lightness too. It's infiltrating your recipes. Boiling, broiling, sous-vide— them too. You can't imagine root beer without it. This is the way the world ends, not from zest nor sin but spice complacency. Overgrowth by Larissa Hauck Kenton… Continue reading Anise
Ignatian Literary Magazine 