by John A. Birt

Eleven quarters, a dime, and a nickel
leaves you both bothered and worried
as delinquent teens attempt to surf
on the train cars instead of the sea.

By Nafiz Imtiaz Emu

only you held on
to the truth of the road,
survived the gravel’s bite,
the pressing weight
of every step

by Andrew Lynch

I want to melt
into the pot with the spoon
that you stir until
I’m brought to a boil

by Karlo Krstulovic

As with many kings, the only thing left to do is take the crown and break it apart a million times.

By Kayla Texidor

Puerto Ricans can’t be goth, you see, and they can’t be sad.

We must know all the bochinche and spread it like they think we spread our legs.

by Laura Tobón

Let me go, for I need a transfusion of love, and among your apples, it is too costly. My pennies are not enough to pay for it.

by N.I.P

My daughter, my daughter, why do you resent me?
I was just a child,
Starving, fighting to survive,
A girl forced into womanhood

by Rafael Cevallos

I’m too slow,
Too slow even for the bike lane.
The battery-powered mopeds,
The bikes, the scooters,
They all tear ahead of me

by Natalie Edmond

Couldn’t tell my body wasn’t ready
Didn’t ask if I was okay
Only wanted to consume me quickly

by Alessandra Ventura

I wish I could believe 
I am more than the labels 
that the ghosts of my past 
have branded onto my skin.

by Jeffrey Olivares

My Parents always told me
Nosotros solo hablamos español en la casa
But in the busy city of New York
English is what connects me to others

by Arben Alovic

I wasn’t around for goodbye. 
Quiet days on black sand beaches, 
As you gasped, 
For the air that wouldn’t fill your lungs.

by Neissa Jacques

You were the villain in my life, yet in my stories, you are still my light
I hold you in ink, a memory I hope to expand.

by Khadija Santana

I confess that I fold my solemnity
That my anguish regresses
In fear that the warm palm will soon sting
Cold, bitter, frozen lakes spring amongst my veins