“Ornamental” by Lillian Ha in Sweet Tree Review
Lillian Ha’s poetry sings bittersweet melodies. Such insistent verbs move through me like gypsies, unbound and propelled forward. “Tell you a seed will not grow in the bend
of a woman’s back, in bowed spine.” I see the singular, the rootless, and I believe. This young writer is one to follow. I can’t wait to see where else she will wander. ~Laurel Dowswell, Features Editor
“Tacenda” by Alice King in Black Fox Literary Magazine
King has an astounding ability to craft lines that make you pause and audibly sigh at their beauty. I was continuously impressed by the quality of her craft throughout the entirety of her poem and the other of her poems included in the magazine. “Tacenda,” though, stuck out to me. Her words clung to my tongue and overwhelmed my mind. King is a poet to keep an eye on over the coming years. ~Emily Ramser, Editorial Assistant
“arrive yesterday, every moment, a first” by Sarah Klein and Erin Wilson in 7 x 7
This interdisciplinary piece, in seven panels each, is experienced as a slow reveal. One visual artist, one writer. A complementary storytelling experience that, in this piece, walks along the beach together. One of longing, loss, and memories. Asking that indelible question, “Where do we go from here?” It’s an embrace— and a tribute. A fresh take on collaboration that is much welcomed.~Laurel Dowswell, Features Editor
“Colony” by Laurie Stone in The Forge
Stone is a master of prose, weaving incredibly realistic descriptions among lifelike dialogue with an artist’s precision. Her short story tackles feelings of loneliness, love, and sex. It attempts to interlace each of these feelings through an intriguing scenario in an even more intriguing community. ~Emily Ramser, Editorial Assistant
“Open Swim” by Robin Lee in Rebelle Society
This tale of young loneliness is the tale of Charlotte, a 13-year-old girl with a “heart made of glass.” Running from the world beside the ocean she discovers Thomas, a kindred spirit. They seek comfort in the closeness, and Lee is perceptive in her portrayal. It is sensitive yet not maudlin, in this reader’s eye. Lovely dialogue interspersed throughout this short fiction piece too. Oh, to be thirteen…~Laurel Dowswell, Features Editor
“Patterns of Wear” by Heather Wells Patterson in Nat. Brut
In this short piece of fiction, Patterson crafts a beautiful narrative that resonates with all readers. The loss infiltrates every word of this piece, consuming the soul of the reader until they feel as if they are the main character, Cathy. Patterson has written an amazing story that deserves read after read. ~Emily Ramser, Editorial Assistant
“Epithalmion” by Jonathan Penner in 100 word story
This flash piece hums just like the bees/wedding guests in the story. Penner’s scene is filled with raucous visuals that drive the 100 word/one sentence story to the end, the reader securely gratified. This type of story is not a delicate task to say the least, and Penner’s take on this reverend’s day is so skillful. An excellent piece of flash fiction.~ Laurel Dowswell, Features Editor
Laurel Dowswell is the Features Editor at Change Seven. Her short story “I Am theEggman” was nominated for the 2016 Pushcart Prize. She was a copy editor for an independent feminist newspaper in Santa Fe, NM, after being raised and educated in Florida. She lives and writes in Georgia, just outside of Atlanta with her son. She is currently working on a novel filled with oil paintings, family drama, and the spectrum of sexuality. Follow her on twitter @laurels_idea.
Emily Ramser is an undergraduate studying English, Creative Writing, and Religion at Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing, and is expected to graduate in May of 2017. Some of her inspirations include Thornton Wilder, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Bhanu Kapil, Andrea Gibson, Gabriel Gudding, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Gail Simone, and Alfred Lord Tennyson. Check out her black out poetry collectionI Forgot How to Write When They Diagnosed Me. You can find more of her work at her blog.
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