RHCP. By Alex Z. Salinas

Larry Rios is on his way to buy to milk, instant coffee and a few knickknacks when “I Could Die for You” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers comes on. Thirty seconds into the song he decides its opening lyrics are the most tender he’s ever heard. Something inside the cards / I know is right / Don't want to live / somebody else's life. Somewhere in the horizon Anthony Kiedis is hurting bad. The pain of longing never fully fades. The thing about Kierkegaardian anguish is you can’t put it into words. It’s only meant to happen to you. Live inside you forever.

Alex Z. Salinas lives in San Antonio, Texas. He is the author of WARBLES, a full-length poetry collection from Hekate Publishing (2019), and Dreamt, a limited-edition chapbook from Analog Submission Press (2020). His poems, short fiction and op-eds have appeared in various print and electronic publications, and he serves as poetry editor for the San Antonio Review. He holds an M.A. in English Literature and Language from St. Mary’s University.

Half Lit / Half Shadow by Susan Tepper

What privileges afforded 

the dead—

Are the dead lined up 

against stark dry wall

yellowed and crumbling

in the half lit / 

half shadow

Given their moment.

To record grievances 

obsessions, omissions.

To push back 

take a comb to their hair

preserve dignity.

Pretend still part of

the still living.

Susan Tepper is the author of eight published books of fiction and poetry. Her most recent book just out in June is a road novel titled “What Drives Men.” It was shortlisted at American Book Fest Best Book Awards. Other honors and awards include eighteen Pushcart Nominations, a Pulitzer Prize Nomination for the novel “What May Have Been” (Cervena Barva Press, and currently being adapted for the stage), NPR’s Selected Shorts Series, Second Place Winner in Story/South Million Writers Award, Best Story of 17 Years of Vestal Review, Shortlisted 7th in the Zoetrope Novel Contest (2003), Best of the Net and more. Tepper is a native New Yorker.

Lions ,Tigers and Dumbasses By John Patrick Robbins

I don't know why someone would question a person's sanity who owns a dozen or so tigers.

I mean I always have loved pussy myself.

But on a serious note if you own something that views you as prey.

And you choose to turn it into your new roommate, well don't bitch when you lose a limb.

I never was dumb enough to put my faith in God or wild animals. 

Why do you think I never got married?

Salute .

John Patrick Robbins, is the editor in chief of the Rye Whiskey Review, The Black Shamrock Magazine and Under The Bleachers.

His work has been published in Ariel Chart, San Pedro River Review , The San Antonio Review, Red Fez, Punk Noir Magazine , Piker Press , Oddball Magazine , As It Ought To Be Magazine and The Blue Nib.

He is also the author of If The Walls Could Speak Mine Would Blush which is published under his pen name of Frank Murphy .

And Sex , Drugs & Poetry from Whiskey City Press.

His work is always unfiltered.

Bar Fight by Dan Provost'

The stare down is
often worse than any
punches being thrown.

Two assholes, stumbling…screaming
ready to throw down over a
obscure 1994 baseball stat.

Daring each other to throw
the first blow.

When drunk #1 finally tries
to get physical with rummy #2

Arms will wildly flail
—finding air instead
of someone’s jaw.

Many times, I have chuckled
over these events--
While sitting quietly in
my corner of the world.

Witnessing idiots who think
they have the ability of Ali after
15 beers.

Asking the bartender to
get me another, I
feel oddly privileged
having front row seats
to a performance that
has the entertainment value
of a Shemp Howard skit.

When the “combatants” are
ushered out—and order, for the
moment is restored in drunk land—

I see some hag throw a
shot of whiskey into some
jowly, puffy faced guy.

The yelling stars. Panic
at the pub again.

I close my eyes,
smile and get

ready for the next preliminary
bout to begin. 

 Dan Provost's poetry has been published throughout the small press for a number of years.  Some recent publications include: Ariel Chart, Poetical Review, Merak Magazine, Oddball Magazine, Deuce Coupe, Misfit Magazine, the Rye Whiskey Review, Cajun Mutt Press and the Dope Fiend Daily.  He has two books coming out in 2020.  Under the Influence of Nothingness by Kung Fu Treachery Press and Rattle of a Realizer, published by Whiskey City Press.  He lives in Berlin, New Hampshire with his wife Laura and dog Bella.

The Dregs. By John Doyle

 Last time I looked

I knew the last place they'd be

was the bottom of a pitcher

out of fizz, out of time, out of wives,

waiting for a refill from God

who they told last night to go fuck himself,

but he was busy teleporting back to the 1880s

to save several villages from scarlet fever

so didn't have the time to damn their eyes,

so the ex-Polish army guy checking I.D. at the door

waiting to cut loose

was willing on behalf of management

to go fuck their lives up instead

for a roof to lie low under for the next few nights,

at least until it all died down, of course

John Doyle became a Mod again in the summer of 2017 to fight off his impending mid-life crisis; whether this has been a success remains to be seen. He has has two collections published to date, A Stirring at Dusk in 2017, and Songs for Boys Called Wendell Gomez in 2018, both on PSKI's Porch. 

He is based in Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland. All he asks is that you leave your guns at the door and tie up your horses before your enter.

Woonsocket Wine by Dan Provost

She was the hero for alley-living
normalcy.

Trying to pamper cold,
winded face with stolen
makeup.

Some men would give
her a doubletake.

A chancy review for
some oral frustration…

“What the hell, the wife
is getting old.”

“Getting stale.”
“Why not a quickie for twenty bucks?”

A standard justification for the
middle-aged guy…

Her mouth provided a service…

A five minute kneel down that
left everyone satisfied.

Spit, gargle, repeat the process

“Be on your way child.”
She would command Mr. Sucker...

Soon, Ms. Cleavage
would be observing
her next victim.

Or plotting another scheme.
Passing stolen checks to
buy some Woonsocket Wine.

The vocation is
not glamorous.

Your high school Guidance
Counselor never explained
the options of ending up
in this career.

But, I guess, you have
to live anyway you can.
Find something you’re good at
and enjoy…

After all, if you love what
you’re doing…

Is it really work?

Dan Provost's poetry has been published throughout the small press for a number of years.  Some recent publications include: Ariel Chart, Poetical Review, Merak Magazine, Oddball Magazine, Deuce Coupe, Misfit Magazine, the Rye Whiskey Review, Cajun Mutt Press and the Dope Fiend Daily.  He has two books coming out in 2020.  Under the Influence of Nothingness by Kung Fu Treachery Press and Rattle of a Realizer, published by Whiskey City Press.  He lives in Berlin, New Hampshire with his wife Laura and dog Bella.

I'm So Nice by Scott Simmons

Why did the chicken cross the road?

A:I don't give a shit.

What's black, white, and red all over?

A:I also don't give a shit.

So what do those two jokes have in common with you?

Read my other answers and maybe you'll find out.

Can't you just tell that I love you? 

Scott Simmons is a humorist/poet from Houston Texas and is also the editor of The Dope Fiend Daily. His works can be found at Ariel Chart, Under The Bleachers, The Anti Heroin Chic, Horror Sleaze Trash, Duanes Poetree, Medusas Kitchen, and Drinkers Only. His "artwork" can also be found on instagram at deranged_texan