Special FeatureJoanna ValenteGretchen Gales, special feature, poetry

Gretchen Gales: Rural County Sex Ed

Special FeatureJoanna ValenteGretchen Gales, special feature, poetry
Gretchen Gales: Rural County Sex Ed
Botticelli

Botticelli

Rural County Sex Ed

 

Ladies—be weary of serpent men slithering

When you haven’t said your nightly prayers,

 

Or haven’t read your Bible in a minute (remember to read

1 Corinthians 6:18 to remind yourself of what we’ve learned today),

 

Or worn your skirts one millimeter over

exactly one index card above the knee,

 

Or asked about birth control (Condoms are only 20%

effective because he doesn’t follow instructions),

 

Or parading out in 2AM provocative purple hair bringing

Attention (modesty is key to not picking the lock!),

 

Or leading boys on (The Facts of Life teaches you being a tease

Is an unattractive quality in young ladies),

 

Or you sipped a sinful swig, drowises dropped in your drinks. Dateline

Enough reason to avoid bars, clubs, the mall, gas stations, or being alone.

 

Or asking for birth control again

(not until there’s a carat on your left finger),

 

Your body a temple hidden beneath vines from

Abductors, adulterers, abusers,

 

Liars, loathsome  murderers,

Pigs, rapists, savages, selfish, thieves,

Detestable, disgusting, deplorable beasts.

 

But to be fair, Eve—She

Bit into the apple first.

Alex Clark

Alex Clark

Gretchen Gales is managing editor and a staff writer for Quail Bell Magazine. Her work has also appeared in The Establishment, projects of the SFG Media, Bustle, Yellow Chair Review, and more. When she isn't writing, she panics about how she has so much to write. Follow her work and latest updates at www.writinggales.wordpress.com. 

Special FeatureJoanna ValenteChristine Stoddard, photography, special feature

Christine Stoddard: Mortem et Virginiana

Born and raised in Arlington, Virginia, Christine Stoddard is a Salvadoran-Scottish-American writer, editor, and artist now based in New York. Her work has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Bustle, Native Peoples Magazine, The Feminist Wire, the New York Transit Museum, the Condé Nast Building, The Huffington Post, and beyond. In 2012, the Puffin Foundation honored her with a national emerging artist grant in photography. That same year, she debuted her documentary film, The Persistence of Poe, at the Poe Museum and on PBS-Richmond/Charlottesville. In 2014, Folio Magazine named Christine one of the media industry's top 20 people in their 20s for founding Quail Bell Magazine. Her book, Images of America: Richmond Cemeteries, which she co-authored with Misty Thomas. also came out that year. This year, The History Press published her book, Hispanic and Latino Heritage in Virginia. 
 

Special FeatureJoanna ValenteChristine Stoddard, photography, special feature
Christine Stoddard: Mortem et Virginiana
Special FeatureJoanna Valentespecial feature, poetry, ashley miranda

Ashley Miranda: In a Porcelain Cup, I’ve Put Your Ejaculate and Read Our Future

Ashley Miranda is a latinx poet from Chicago. Her work will be or has been previously featured by the Denver Quarterly, CCM Press, Ghost City Review, Lockjaw Magazine, and Glass Poetry Press. She tweets impulsive poetry and other musings @dustwhispers.

Special FeatureJoanna Valentespecial feature, poetry, ashley miranda
Ashley Miranda: In a Porcelain Cup, I’ve Put Your Ejaculate and Read Our Future
Special FeatureJoanna ValenteKailey Tedesco, poetry, special feature

Kailey Tedesco: To Suck Dry

Kailey Tedesco's books She Used to be on a Milk Carton (April Gloaming Publications) and These Ghosts of Mine, Siamese (Dancing Girl Press) are both forthcoming. She is the editor-in-chief of a Rag Queen Periodical and a performing member of the NYC Poetry Brothel. Her work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. You can find her poetry featured or forthcoming in Prelude, Prick of the Spindle, Bellevue Literary Review, Vanilla Sex Magazine, and more. For more information, please visit kaileytedesco.com. 

Special FeatureJoanna ValenteKailey Tedesco, poetry, special feature
Kailey Tedesco: To Suck Dry
Special FeatureJoanna ValenteBen Nardolilli, poetry, special feature

Ben Nardolilli: Lonely Radio Playing

Ben Nardolilli currently lives in New York City. His work has appeared in Perigee Magazine, Red Fez, Danse Macabre, The 22 Magazine, Quail Bell Magazine, Elimae, fwriction, Inwood Indiana, Pear Noir, The Minetta Review, and Yes Poetry. He blogs at mirrorsponge.blogspot.com and is looking to publish a novel. 


Special FeatureJoanna ValenteBen Nardolilli, poetry, special feature
Ben Nardolilli: Lonely Radio Playing