by Brian GriffithChina’s goddess cults are not normally classed as independent religions. They seem to be sub-sects of Daoism, Buddhism, or Confucianism. We could say that the goddess cults are women’s versions of these traditions. Some people call them “shadow religions.” Even today, the cults of women and goddesses are not classified as organized … [Read more...] about The Shadow Religions.
The Nuns’ Story.
An excerpt from “The Altar Boy” in Is Nothing Sacred? (Exterminating Angel Press, Spring 2013)by Mike Madrid I’m from Erie, Pennsylvania. Right on Lake Erie. It was either Polish, Italian, Irish. That was life. I never saw a Jew, or knew what a Jew was, until I was in high school. I was Polish and Irish, and I was a Catholic. But Catholic came first. … [Read more...] about The Nuns’ Story.
Friday.
by Marissa Bell Toffoli Tonight I can be this candid.The Evening Star unfastens the dark.The way ahead blooms wide.We talk and talk, let ideas lingerand spread as steam. Our fingers unlacequalms with ease. We slip into the weekendlike it’s a hot bath. Release our questionsto the night air. Venus, guardianof a most used and misunderstood ruby,after you witness our … [Read more...] about Friday.
LOLA.
by Marie Davis and Margaret Hultz It was a thousand leagues deep where Lola touched Captain Lizzy; hers were the first fingers to swim there. Octopi, squid and darling, teeny fishes were surprised to see their arrival. Like Lizzy, they believed themselves protected from outsiders—after all who else would swim so deep to find love? Resurfacing in … [Read more...] about LOLA.
The Lady and the Tiger.
by Jacob RakovanShe imagined rain or fog something cinematic, soft focus.The night is clear when it comes. She hops the cast iron fenceruns through pebbled paths to their assignation. His roar rings through the park.In the dark, drowsy watchmensneaking cigarettes, ignore her. She knows without her he would starve; cartoon-pink steaks … [Read more...] about The Lady and the Tiger.