Author Archives: tributaryjournal

Vijai Budhun 

Hannah Lee Defrates  Synopsis:   Imprisoned and disgraced from their surreal society of plague doctors, Meadowlark and Caraway seek escapism to escape the inescapable, even if for just one moment.   Characters:   Meadowlark- disgraced plague doctor; not as tough as they appear   Caraway- disgraced plague doctor; not exactly timid, but not tough; has a lot of abandonedContinue reading “The Last Spin Cycle “

Aiden Brown  I hadn’t told anyone except my parents that I was doing this. I went all the way to Miami from Maryland to have a masculoplasty (a fancy word for double mastectomy) with Dr. Gallagher. The rest of my family didn’t know I identified as transgender or went by Aiden. Confessing to murder would’veContinue reading “Crumbling Walnuts  “

Caleb Hipple  David closed his eyes hard enough to see colors. All stimuli. Almost no presence. Measured breaths between sips of lukewarm tap water. The heat of vomit rose from the sink and worked into the sweat ringing his neck.    The vault opener had marked the coffin’s end with mud to indicate where her headContinue reading “Metastasize “

Bianca Valentin 

Serenity Walker  Spiked with caramelized  tipped hair, the lead singer  sat at cherry countertops.  The jukebox sputtered,  sharp overtones rising  like a Sunday-school church choir.  I slid on the stool beside him.  A bead of sugar stained  the rim of his drink. Caked rock’n’roll red,   my head thudded against my palm.  “Would ya order meContinue reading “Beer Goggle Love “

Shruti Bhunjun  Rame, Rame, Rame  Le regard guère au ciel  Voler toujours pas notre destinée  Mon Soldat dans le froid  A nous le pouvoir, les bourgeois.  La terre, une amie très chère  Protégée de ta fierté,   Détruite de tes colères,  Ah, l’aventure guidée par ta voix.   Découvertes…enfin!  Voleurs des grains,  Chasseurs des indiens, Y a-t-il du vin?   Pouvoir maudit à jamais,  Le malheur arrivera,  Protège lesContinue reading “Voyage Inédit  (Unedited Voyage)  “

Shruti Bhunjun O, terre d’opportunités  Nouvel air, nouvel idées,  Travailler dure, Vendre de la fourrure. Ces mémoires,   Des prairies, des réservoirs,  Nourriture de mère,  Moments avec mes confrères,   Retrouvaille! Mon pays!  Mon enfance, ma famille,  Heureux comme des fleurs de camomille.   Attends, ces différences,  Différent de ce que j’ai vécu,  Différent de ce que j’ai rêvé,  Superstition, Religion,  Politique, Diplomatie; Qu’est qui a changé?   Ces barrières, séparation,Continue reading “Nouveauté De L’ancien (Novelty of the Old)”

Areesha Mian 

Colt Walker  Preacher man told O’shua there was a spirit in Creek Town. It had moved in and driven all the people away. They hadn’t seen hide nor tail of it, but they knew it was there, sure enough. Its thirst was unquenchable.   O’shua was a spirit hunter with a long steel sword, and whenContinue reading “The Creek Demon “

Caleb Hipple  We sit around my lack of medication  and a bonfire begging to be pissed  out. Can’t even prop my feet, my decision—  the desire for warmth somehow a discussion.  I ignore how my parents dismiss   change, unless it’s in a foot.  The fabric sky pinholes over  as I leave, long enough toContinue reading “Junk Drawer “

Liz Shaffer  I tip-toed up the wide staircase to my bedroom across from Aunt Freddie’s, the dark wood creaking under my calloused feet. Aunt Freddie and I had sleepovers every week. We would start with a game of pirates or fairies outside, eat dinner, have a nice bubble bath, and end with a story beforeContinue reading “I Always Loved The Black Cat “

Abigail Mooneyhan  The Kit-Cat clock’s tail swung back and forth on the paisley print wall. Its classic smile, painted in thick, black paint, had chipped edges. Alyssa Jean gave the old relic a new home in her upscale Pittsburgh apartment; she managed to snag it when they cleaned out her dad’s house when he passedContinue reading “Top Dead Center “

Rylee Delaney