Issue of April 22, 2019

Haunted by Lillian Queen — Cover story poem unrhymed

In April 2002, the Piker Press was created by Alexandra Queen as a weekly online journal of literature, art, commentary, and who knows what else. Her daughter, the author of this week's cover piece, was born just a few weeks later.

The Sporting Life by Harvey Silverman — Essay memoir

When your dad is proud of you, it's always a winning season...

Swan Song by Patti Santucci — Poem rhymed

"...I'm not the fly that annoys, nor the yellowed, shunned Polaroid..."

Diner by Tony Gloeggler — Poem unrhymed

"...try to remember who died, who got married the last time we saw each other..."

Guinea Pig from Outer Space by John Grey — Poem unrhymed

"...It's the latest, sexiest, of professions..."

Invisible by Fabrice Poussin — Poem unrhymed

"...unwilling to reveal the secrets she has conceived..."

Paying Respects by Gary Glauber — Poem unrhymed

"...the sound of my footsteps in the morning..."

Peeling Oranges, Onions and Pavement in the Sun by Ryan Quinn Flanagan — Poem unrhymed

"...the decay of hope like worms in the garden..."

The Death of Whydah Sibyl by Ken Allan Dronsfield — Poem unrhymed

"...Whydah Sibyl still sings her lovelorn sonnet..."

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep by Ndaba Sibanda — Poem unrhymed

"They sang and shouted with joy as he paced about, whispering..."

KKK Shoes by Sarah Ito — Prose

"...Four dollars and ninety-seven cents, unless the parental unit found a sale elsewhere..."

True Believers by Frederick Foote — Speculative fiction religion

Can Death be an excuse for Death?