Jennifer Acker's Blog, page 68
November 17, 2021
What the Midwest Was Like
JENNIFER S. CHENG
For months I cared for my plant: watered it, brought in light, cleaned its jar. I noted with pleasure when new leaves began to sprout. The capillary green that unfolded overnight. I watched its roots mingle and spread, tracing against the glass.
For months I cared for my plant: watered it, brought in light, cleaned its jar. I noted with pleasure when new leaves began to sprout. The capillary green that unfolded overnight. I watched its roots mingle and spread, tracing against the glass.
November 12, 2021
Friday Reads: November 2021
ELLY HONG
This month’s round of Friday Reads features recommendations that span place and time: from interwar Greece to eighteenth-century London to a small-holding in present day Ireland. Read on to see what our Issue 22 contributors have been enjoying.
This month’s round of Friday Reads features recommendations that span place and time: from interwar Greece to eighteenth-century London to a small-holding in present day Ireland. Read on to see what our Issue 22 contributors have been enjoying.
November 11, 2021
These Winters in Pittsburgh are Making Us Strong
by JANE MCCAFFERTY
Ah, last day of the semester. The professor goes on a long walk into the winter woods near the Highland Park Reservoir, her pale face chapped with cold. She’s had one glass of wine. OK two and a half. It’s perfect out here! The sky looks pink, sweet and pillowy as seen through bare black branches, and she’s touching as many trees as possible.
Ah, last day of the semester. The professor goes on a long walk into the winter woods near the Highland Park Reservoir, her pale face chapped with cold. She’s had one glass of wine. OK two and a half. It’s perfect out here! The sky looks pink, sweet and pillowy as seen through bare black branches, and she’s touching as many trees as possible.
November 8, 2021
The 2021 Author Postcard Auction is Open!
It's time to bid for a personalized, handwritten postcard from your favorite author in The Common's eighth annual author postcard auction! Join in on the fun this year for a chance to receive a postcard from New York Times-bestsellers, National Book Award-winners, Man Booker Prize finalists, and Pulitzer Prize-winners and finalists.
November 5, 2021
Podcast: Julian Zabalbeascoa on “Igerilaria”
JULIAN ZABALBEASCOA
Julian Zabalbeascoa speaks to managing editor Emily Everett about his story “Igerilara,” which appears in The Common’s fall issue. In this conversation from San Sebastián, Julian talks about writing stories set in Spain during the Spanish Civil War and the Basque Conflict.
Julian Zabalbeascoa speaks to managing editor Emily Everett about his story “Igerilara,” which appears in The Common’s fall issue. In this conversation from San Sebastián, Julian talks about writing stories set in Spain during the Spanish Civil War and the Basque Conflict.
November 4, 2021
The Eclipse
ANNA LIDIA VEGA SEROVA
She had money. A lot of it. She could give someone an unforgettable night. Take them to the best restaurant in the city or the most elegant bar or an expensive club. She took her phonebook out of her purse and went over the names and numbers for the millionth time.
She had money. A lot of it. She could give someone an unforgettable night. Take them to the best restaurant in the city or the most elegant bar or an expensive club. She took her phonebook out of her purse and went over the names and numbers for the millionth time.
November 3, 2021
Two Poems by John Harlan Underhill
JOHN HARLAN UNDERHILL
The black dragon death moon / For two minutes ate the sun today / But her burning shadow ejected it / And as fast as she ate, she ran away. // I wore my fluorescent yellow shirt / To impersonate the flaring one / To outface depression’s eclipse / To declare I am not yet done.
The black dragon death moon / For two minutes ate the sun today / But her burning shadow ejected it / And as fast as she ate, she ran away. // I wore my fluorescent yellow shirt / To impersonate the flaring one / To outface depression’s eclipse / To declare I am not yet done.
November 1, 2021
I Heart Ugly Nature
CHARLES HOOD
I logged eleven species of warbler by midday, including two rare ones for California—a black-and-white warbler and a northern waterthrush. I drove Highway 14 back to Lancaster, had lunch, then changed into my suit in the restaurant parking lot.
I logged eleven species of warbler by midday, including two rare ones for California—a black-and-white warbler and a northern waterthrush. I drove Highway 14 back to Lancaster, had lunch, then changed into my suit in the restaurant parking lot.
October 25, 2021
Past and Future on Rapa Nui
JULIA COOKE
The morning was clear and the colors vivid: yellow brush, white ocean froth against cobalt sky. In front of me, dense gray volcanic stone appeared to consume the light. I stood in salty mist before an altar on the north coast of Rapa Nui, Easter Island.
The morning was clear and the colors vivid: yellow brush, white ocean froth against cobalt sky. In front of me, dense gray volcanic stone appeared to consume the light. I stood in salty mist before an altar on the north coast of Rapa Nui, Easter Island.
Sometimes All You Can Do Is Wait
ZEINA HASHEM BECK
I take photos of the skin on my thigh, the side of my breast, / my arm, my calf, my belly, & send them to friends. See? / They reassure & recommend doctors. My mother suggests / baking soda mixed with oil or water, rosewater perhaps, perhaps /
taking a cool bath.
I take photos of the skin on my thigh, the side of my breast, / my arm, my calf, my belly, & send them to friends. See? / They reassure & recommend doctors. My mother suggests / baking soda mixed with oil or water, rosewater perhaps, perhaps /
taking a cool bath.
