Dear readers, welcome to the third national issue of The Tributary. We received so many submissions from colleges all over the U.S. The final product is a collection of poetry, non-fiction, and fiction that ranges from traditional form to modernist. Our contributors discuss the nostalgia, music, and freedom that stems from every part of theirContinue reading “Letter from the Managing Editor – Spring 2025”
Category Archives: National Issue 3 Spring 2025
Contributors – Spring 2025
Poetry Hazel Beuker – Jolly Ranchers Hazel is a sophomore at the University of New Hampshire and has been writing poetry as a hobby for nearly 10 years. They are an English Teaching major and have always been fascinated with writing and poetry. They take inspiration from authors such as Mary Oliver and Rachel Field,Continue reading “Contributors – Spring 2025”
Jolly Ranchers – Hazel Beuker
They’re tossed to us where we float in the pool. My arms and legs are sore, but I am happy. They taste of brightness of radiation and glee. I like the blue ones the most, the way they stick to my teeth. Their flavor mixes with the chlorine and I get water in my eyes.Continue reading “Jolly Ranchers – Hazel Beuker”
Aubade Featuring a Worm – Madeline Chandler
The sky cannot decide shine? and neither can I. Rain Rest or rise? We settle on both. I wear sunglasses and a raincoat, and trod across soggy, squelching grass my hair slowly soaking with every raindrop racing past. A block away, my arms are around your waist, whispering sweet nothings, like rain on a tinContinue reading “Aubade Featuring a Worm – Madeline Chandler”
The Abbeys – Logan Edwards
I followed the vibrations to the chapel expecting to be scorned by pews of real people, the ones to whom god answers in a delicate dream. Hit by the emptiness and a need to laugh, listening to the organ sound in my body, a chord hit below my sternum and released a cold breath. IContinue reading “The Abbeys – Logan Edwards”
Scenes from a Goblin-town – Asher Frost
1. A trickster down Yeshien Way says I don’t know half’s what I say. Told him he lied He koinsidently died, from a rock to his noggin anyway… 2. Too many cooks in the kitchin too many wysards in the pot If they don’t stop they’re sisslin they’s be a meel cooked too hot 3.Continue reading “Scenes from a Goblin-town – Asher Frost”
Untitled Poem for Lambs – Olivia Macneil
Down River Road, the devil’s disciples testify his word over the FM as I pass an angel split open from tummy to neck; the poor man’s trophy. I once had a (southern) friend say this is the South of the North and she’s right; it makes itself known in stickers, flags, and how proper knowsContinue reading “Untitled Poem for Lambs – Olivia Macneil”
I Hate Spotify – Hannah Kim
Spotify has a feature where you can see the current listening activity of the people you are mutually following. Sometimes I send screenshots to my friends when I catch them listening to songs I also like, or if I catch them listening to Pitbull on a Tuesday at 3am for some reason. There are peopleContinue reading “I Hate Spotify – Hannah Kim”
Running – Viach
I’ve started going on a run every night. Good training for my line of work. More importantly, it helps with the shakes, you know? The shakes. They start from the base of the spine (a tingle at first, a warning) and crawl their way to my scalp to my arms to my hands till youContinue reading “Running – Viach”
Hesitation – Sabrina Burns
Natural turn. Change step. Reverse turn. Keep forty-five degrees diagonal down the line of dance. Spin turn. Don’t get dizzy and step on Andrew’s $170 black leather shoes. Every misplaced step would only earn you another tight-lipped grimace and sigh. His hand would constrict around yours, a warning for you not to fuck up again.Continue reading “Hesitation – Sabrina Burns”
Already There – Kevin Sandefur
Darren had breakfast every morning with his mother. She never ate much, even when she was still alive. Now she didn’t touch her omelet at all. Darren had noticed a long time ago that it always seemed to be the same omelet, and he wondered sometimes what was in it. Denver omelets had been herContinue reading “Already There – Kevin Sandefur”
Elephant Rock – Harper Lower
I walk a dog now. I forgot his name on the first day and have been afraid to ask again. I’ve been calling him The Dog. Like a canine Lebowski ego. He’s a big boned dog, and scruffy like that. Naming him myself made me feel less bad about rolling out of bed first thingContinue reading “Elephant Rock – Harper Lower”
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