Yellow Mama E zine

A Murder

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by Gloria Mindock

 

         Susie did not listen to her inner voice and tried to stay hidden behind the tree branches. She still felt out in the open. A noise surprised her. Whoever it is, came stomping. He held a primitive knife. This will hurt, she thought. The man was dirty with greasy hair. If you saw him on the street, you would keep your distance. Susie knew this would be a losing battle. A rope went around her neck. The knife was coming. She fought. Her eyes looked demented, which frightened him and he backed away. The crows, the blue jays and the cardinals showed up. She was so happy to see them. Off Susie flew with them after they pecked the man to pieces. You never know when you will meet a shape-shifter. Tweet-Tweet. Leave murder to the birds.

 

           Gloria Mindock is editor of Červená Barva Press and the award-winning author of six poetry collections, two book translations in Romanian and Serbian, and three chapbooks. Her poems have been published and translated into twelve languages. Gloria’s most recent book, Grief Touched the Sky at Night, was published by Glass Lyre Press. Her work has appeared in Ibbetson, Gargoyle, The James Dickey Review, Growth: Journal of Literature, Culture, & Art (Macedonia), Nixes Mate, Lily Poetry Review and Books, Rye Whiskey Review, Unlikely Books, and Cholla Needles. She served as Poet Laureate of Somerville, Massachusetts, in 2017 and 2018. In 2024, Gloria received the Sam Cornish Award from the New England Poetry Club in recognition of her outstanding contributions as an international publisher, activist, and poet whose unflinching eye bears witness to atrocities inflicted on people around the world.

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        Bernice Holtzman’s paintings and collages have appeared in shows at various venues in Manhattan, including the Back Fence in Greenwich Village, the Producer’s Club, the Black Door Gallery on W. 26th St., and one other place she can’t remember, but it was in a basement, and she was well received. She is the Assistant Art Director for Yellow Mama.