kerning | a space for words no. 2
We are thrilled to present the second issue of kerning, a biannual compendium of writing that includes poetry, fiction, short stories, flash fiction, personal essays and creative nonfiction from women and gender diverse people.
For this issue, we invited writers and artists to send us work based on the theme “It’s All Relative,” to explore the places where contrast and connection meet with stories about actual families or relationships, pieces about situations or experiences that resist comparison or attachment, and stories in which one’s decisions, behavior, mindset, or action flouts another’s expectations or understanding.
What’s Inside:
Poetry
Don’t Call it a Nervous Breakdown | Calyx Mikalina
December 24, 63 Degrees | Ellen Skilton
Smoke at the Altar | Hannah Coakley
From the Latin Pagiarius | Jessica DeKoninck
Spooning | Juniper Moon
Walking the Dog After Printmaking | Leslie Moore
Gifts at the Periphery | Lizzie Purkis
A Prayer | Marjorie Arnett
This Is Where My Children Live | Martine Van Bijlert
Two Dogs Ago | Michelle Latvala
Dear Kid | Wren Pearson
Artwork
Last Light | Thea Abu El-Haj
Intimacy | Marcie Jan Bronstein
Short Fiction
Hot Air Balloon | Lisa Jones
Arcanum | Mary Plouffe
Creative Nonfiction
Watching | Jennifer Craig
Received Thirty One Years | Jennifer Janetsky
Flooding the Engine | Keara Rossi
How to Hide from Your Family | Meghan Vigeant
Salvation | Michelle GD
Essayettes
The Plastic Daisy | Bex Hall
Maybe He Doesn’t Need Fixing | Randi Stein