but she'd learned to cut corners. No more than two minutes on a sink and its hazy mirror. A shower could be plucked of tight wiry hair and wiped down in four. Three minutes was all that was needed with sponges under both hands on each the bathroom and the kitch— enette floor, and two minutes for... Show morebut she'd learned to cut corners. No more than two minutes on a sink and its hazy mirror. A shower could be plucked of tight wiry hair and wiped down in four. Three minutes was all that was needed with sponges under both hands on each the bathroom and the kitch— enette floor, and two minutes for the little icebox. A strong three minutes more was needed to change bed sheets, always with hospital corners. That usually left one minute for dusting and vacuuming. Easily, one could see that the dusting and vacuuming were con— fined to about two rooms on any given shift. Those with marginal debris would wait an extra day. But the toilets must have five minutes. “Everyone needed a clean toilet.” There was no getting around it in her Inind. Mrs. Harold didn't care much about cleanliness; she was more concerned with shaving off a nickel for each room readied. As long as she contained her time sheet tojust under eight hours, she and Mrs. Harold got along fine. She would be paid no overtime. But things were beginning to change; the kneeling and bending was beginning to catch up with her. Twenty— four rooms, five days a week for thirteen years — her body moaned as she shifted her weight. Her time was slowing. The kid walked in wiping the corners of her mouth, then paused slightly to rub her head. “Not in time," Jessie thought to herself wringing the cloth. “Two days, I bet she lasts two days." Katie crossed over Show less
Augsburg College Lindell Library Minneapolis, MN 55454 Murphy Square Start your Millennium off right. Art Editor Literary Editors Photography Advisor Literary Board Vicki Aman Alexis Athmann Natasha Copeland Jason R. Hudson Kelly Johnson Dan Madsen Sharon Rolenc Jody Johnstonc Marl; Jackson (... Show moreAugsburg College Lindell Library Minneapolis, MN 55454 Murphy Square Start your Millennium off right. Art Editor Literary Editors Photography Advisor Literary Board Vicki Aman Alexis Athmann Natasha Copeland Jason R. Hudson Kelly Johnson Dan Madsen Sharon Rolenc Jody Johnstonc Marl; Jackson ()rion \Visncss Dale Delinn-r Photography Cass Dalglish Visual Art Board Samuel J. Gross T. Ryan Johnson Andy Lindekugel Copyright 2000 by the authors and artists All rights resumed. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by an) means, electronic or methanical, including phototnpy, “ithout pt-r- mission from the individual authors and artists Show less
Untoiled Jennifer Eckrnan Courting Scott Bibus Cerulean Jolynn Garnes Taking Conybri m Ambiguin Ryan Speed Twenty JIiIes ('1) Orion \Visness Green Leaf Pol Samuel J. Gross The Rekase Papers Sharon Rolenc Vase #I Nit Shelby Bitter AVelons Norman Holen Some Twenty JIinules Cynthia Truitt Lynch Tour... Show moreUntoiled Jennifer Eckrnan Courting Scott Bibus Cerulean Jolynn Garnes Taking Conybri m Ambiguin Ryan Speed Twenty JIiIes ('1) Orion \Visness Green Leaf Pol Samuel J. Gross The Rekase Papers Sharon Rolenc Vase #I Nit Shelby Bitter AVelons Norman Holen Some Twenty JIinules Cynthia Truitt Lynch Tour Kitchen Jolynn Games Abstract #1 Anne McCaul Naked .‘Ian Samuel 1. Gross Time (.4 Sonnet) Alexis Athmann 33 3+ 36 Show less
He jogged up the stairs to the house, taking two stairs at a time. Drake and Jason were taking a smoke break outside and as Damon walked past they nodded, “Evenin', Damon." He nod- ded in reply. As he opened the door, a rush of cold air, noise and bright light broke the calmness of his evening.... Show moreHe jogged up the stairs to the house, taking two stairs at a time. Drake and Jason were taking a smoke break outside and as Damon walked past they nodded, “Evenin', Damon." He nod- ded in reply. As he opened the door, a rush of cold air, noise and bright light broke the calmness of his evening. He stepped inside the door and bent over the check—in desk to sign in for the night. He nodded to the evening clerk who cocked his head in the direction of the main office. In that instant Mike Stout walked out of the office and strode right up to Damon. “Come with me," he ordered plainly and turned on his heel to have Damon follow him. Damon’s heart sunk a bit and he asked quietly, “\K’dl now, Mike, good evening to you too. \Vhat can I do for you?" “You can come pee in a cup," Mike stated. His eyes gleamed. Damon closed his eyes for a moment before saying, "ls that absolutely necessary tonight, Mike?" “You know the routine with random testing. Tonight your number is up." “Come on, Mike, you just tested me last week. Please, I just got my release papers today. I get to go home to my boy. l’m as good as gone in a few weeks and I'll be out of your hair." “\Nell, you're not free yet," Mike replied, handing Damon the cup, Damon could feel the heat rising in the back of his neck and his fingers began clenching into fists. “Mike, I told you that tonight was not a good night to hassle me." “Don’t you argue with me, boy," Mike raised his voice as he tried to make his six foot stature as tall as Damon's. “Goddamnit, Mike, I'm close to getting out of here, so why the hell do you find a need to pick on me now? Is your life so small that you find satisfaction with beating down a man that’s just trying to put his life together?" He lowered his face to within an inch of Mike's face. Show less
Under the Table under the table maybe blankets draped the walls have tumbled our castle takes its form— supports are loosed get some books blankets fall something heavy we will rebuild again to hold it down another day flashlights, candy, books maybe the knights take their places at the round... Show moreUnder the Table under the table maybe blankets draped the walls have tumbled our castle takes its form— supports are loosed get some books blankets fall something heavy we will rebuild again to hold it down another day flashlights, candy, books maybe the knights take their places at the round table Merlin casts a spell troops storm the castle gates hold them back we won’t surrender maybe secrets, codes, stashes of leftover Halloween candy we’ll have a feast gather around people! a celebration is here what’s that? who’s there? do you know the word to say? Christine Fankhanel Show less
Time (A Sonnet) Time goes quickly past Never stopping for a breath; Who knows how long it will last For time has no life or death. Winds of Change blow throughout history— VVe'rejust a simple human being. In our lives time is a mystery— For we don’t know its meaning. From today ‘til tomorrow, Our... Show moreTime (A Sonnet) Time goes quickly past Never stopping for a breath; Who knows how long it will last For time has no life or death. Winds of Change blow throughout history— VVe'rejust a simple human being. In our lives time is a mystery— For we don’t know its meaning. From today ‘til tomorrow, Our lives slip slowly by. Parting is such sweet sorrow As our souls fly high. History now, forgotten then, Time is now and always has been. Alexis Athmann Show less
Twenty Miles Up Creative Non—Fiction I barge into the house after the night shift on the Pediatric Unit. I kick my tennis shoes at the closet door, throw my scrub top and T—shirt at the couch in a futile attempt to break it, to break something. anything. Untying the thick pink drawstring I... Show moreTwenty Miles Up Creative Non—Fiction I barge into the house after the night shift on the Pediatric Unit. I kick my tennis shoes at the closet door, throw my scrub top and T—shirt at the couch in a futile attempt to break it, to break something. anything. Untying the thick pink drawstring I prepare to bombard the wingback chair with my pants when I realize the furniture isn’t you. I don't want the fight, or us, to be over. Shirtless I walk into the kitchen to get you on the phone. I have more barbs to hurl and more pleas for forgiveness. My hospital blues nearly fall to my ankles as I pick up the phone to dial your number. The kitchen table is a mess and needs to be cleared of the unpaid bills, catalogs and junk mail so I have a space to pound my head in frustration. As the phone rings I doodle stick figures shooting at one another on a post—it pad. "Promise you'll never talk to me again," you say through tears, “never call here." “Don't worry, I promise," trying desperately to make the tone of my voice defiant, I barely squeak the words out. “Bye.” you say, and hang-up. I hold the phone to my ear and let my forehead rest on the table. The silence in the phone dies with a gasp. \Vith a sudden click the dial tone hums in my car like a flatline alarm. I slip off the chair letting my knees hit the floor first. I twist, falling to the side, as my legs slip out from underneath me. My bare skin slaps the cold linoleum floor and I curl up in a fetal position. The phone still pressed tightly to my ear. I listen for your whisper but hear only the low frequency vibration of the mechanical tone. I stare up at the designer kitchen commissioned by my mother to look like earth from outer space and feel withdrawn fi'om the confines of the ordered universe. The cabinets are painted like the Caribbean Sea. I lie alone on the floor floating in absolute zero space staring at the continents and the oceans. Everything is above me, beyond my reach. The kitchen utensils become man—made artifacts visible from space like the Great Wall of China. Dirty glasses stand next to the sink like gigan- tic oil tanks. Silverware, knives with gleaming meta] handles, bottles of Australian Shiraz and Beaujolais Nouveau — lie spread over the counter giving the muddled appearance of massive urban sprawl. A dishtowel the color of farmed earth lies crusted and smelling of tangerines and rust. On the win— dowsill sits a dying African Violet in a fist-sized terra—cotta pot. 38 Show less
out pool table in the back corner that was always in use. Damon and Ben found one booth left open and sat down. Trudi swooped down on them immediately. “So, Damon, where you been? You’re not trying to avoid me now, are you?" Trudi wore a worn out appearance. She had darkened circles under her... Show moreout pool table in the back corner that was always in use. Damon and Ben found one booth left open and sat down. Trudi swooped down on them immediately. “So, Damon, where you been? You’re not trying to avoid me now, are you?" Trudi wore a worn out appearance. She had darkened circles under her eyes and her gray waitress dress was not ironed. Her straight black hair, pale skin and tall, lean body could have made her a modeling career had she lived somewhere other than this neighborhood. She looked older than her twenty- five years and had two kids that her mother took care of while she worked at Lyle’s. “No, no, I always look forward to seeing your lovely face, Trudi. But I've been laying low and kissing government ass. It finally paid off, though, since I got my release papers today and I came here to celebrate. Now, don’t give me a hard time, honey, and go get me a beer." “And one for me too, darlin'," Ben said leaning over towards her, smiling. Trudi ignored Ben as her eyes lingered for a moment on Damon. “I suppose this means I won't be seein' much more of you around here, will I?" “No, I suppose not,” Damon said uncomfortably, avoiding her gaze. “So it’s going to be like that, huh?" Trudi said, pressing, “You know, Damon, it’s not right for a man to mess with a woman that has kids if you're not going to play serious.” “Come on, Trudi, I never made any promises to you, and I told you my son lives in Minnesota. Did you honestly think that l was going to set up my home here in Chicago?" “I thought you’re not supposed to have alcohol while you're in that work program of yours," Trudi said. “I was tested last week, and why the hell would they test me on the day I get my release papers in the mail? I’m as good as out of that program. Jesus, you're as bad as Angela, always 42 Show less
This was her special day. A new beginning. Today, she would be good enough. No longer a mistake. She turned toward her father and smiled as he straightened the veil across her face. Through her veil, her father's face took on a heavenly glow. She felt beautifiil. She told him that she loved him... Show moreThis was her special day. A new beginning. Today, she would be good enough. No longer a mistake. She turned toward her father and smiled as he straightened the veil across her face. Through her veil, her father's face took on a heavenly glow. She felt beautifiil. She told him that she loved him and rested her head upon his shoulder. The music began to call them. It was time. As her father began to lead her, he lowered his head close to the girl's ear. “Try not to fuck this up too, will ya?" was all he whispered as he silently led her down the aisle. The girl mechanically smiled from behind her veil as tears rolled down her painted cheeks. She had felt this way all her life. Andrea Cobery Show less
for the most part. He still smokes marijuana from time to time. He quit using crack a month ago. He says he is an addict. “This spring I worked at Caring and Sharing Hands on 7th St. I was making $20 a day, but serving $300 a day. I would have to drink a liter of Paul Massons brandyjust to sleep... Show morefor the most part. He still smokes marijuana from time to time. He quit using crack a month ago. He says he is an addict. “This spring I worked at Caring and Sharing Hands on 7th St. I was making $20 a day, but serving $300 a day. I would have to drink a liter of Paul Massons brandyjust to sleep at night. A lot of people in front of the Catholic Charities either choose to spend their money on weed, brew, or crack cocaine. I don't smoke crack anymore because a 820 piece of crack will get me high for 10 minutes. A $20 bag (of marijuana) will get me high for 2.3.4 days." If you ask Billy why he is homeless. he’ll say, “Because my last roommate stole my money." This was his easy response. He has seen and done a lot in life, and lived everywhere a train could carry him. Billy is a kind and resilient man who will someday be whatever he wants to be. Unfortunately: he might already be that. Dan Madsen 1-1- Show less
mother’s hands were flailing against the man. Her mother’s eyes bulged, and they caused the child to freeze with fear. Too close. “You don’t deserve to be my wife,” he screamed as he shook her mother. “This is all your fault. You bitch! I never wanted a kid. It...V\'as...a...MISTAKE!" His words... Show moremother’s hands were flailing against the man. Her mother’s eyes bulged, and they caused the child to freeze with fear. Too close. “You don’t deserve to be my wife,” he screamed as he shook her mother. “This is all your fault. You bitch! I never wanted a kid. It...V\'as...a...MISTAKE!" His words shot like gunfire across the girl’s chest and tore away her fear. She slowly bent down and picked up the arm of the broken rocking chair. She lunged toward the man and hit him across the back of his neck. The girl didn’t know what happened next. She only saw the angry fire burning his red eyes. Run! She didn't know if she had thought it or if her mother had whispered it. “You little bitch,” he spat at her through clenched teeth. She began to back up, unaware of the glass shredding her feet. His blow sent her hard into the wall. She crawled into the corner and shut her eyes. Blood cooled her burning cheek. Chancellor leapt between the girl and the man. He bared his teeth and let a slow, low growl. She opened her swollen eyes. Her protector. Her mother was rubbing the purple marks on her neck. “Please, Dave, she's only a child. She doesn’t understand." He spun around and faced her broken mother. “This is all your fault, Peggy. Fuck kids. You’re the one who got pregnant. I never fuckin’ wanted Show less
second-guessing me. Now just get me the goddamned beer and stop busting my balls.” “Just because you been with me gives you no right to speak to me like that," Trudi said looking at him straight in the eye. “I guess concern is just wasted on you." And with that she turned abruptly on her heel and... Show moresecond-guessing me. Now just get me the goddamned beer and stop busting my balls.” “Just because you been with me gives you no right to speak to me like that," Trudi said looking at him straight in the eye. “I guess concern is just wasted on you." And with that she turned abruptly on her heel and went back up to the bar. “Damn, Damon, you sure do have a way with the ladies." Ben chuckled, watching Trudi walk away. “Yeah, well, don't you start,” Damon said. Trudi came back to the table with their beers, grabbed the money and walked away without a word. To Damon's relief the bar was busy enough to swallow her attentions away from them. He leaned back into the booth and sighed. “I can't believe that next month at this time I'll be hold- ing Saul in my arms. I’ve been four years without my son. Four years paying my debt to society while my son grows up without me. I feel like I've spent my life jumping through hoops. proving that I can behave myself, or at least making them think I can. I just hope that Angela won't force me to prove myself. I've done a fucking lifetime’s worth of proving myself," Damon said. “True enough. But you're this close to freedom, and if I had a woman like Angela waiting back home for me, l'd get down on my knees and beg if that's what it would take." Ben placed his palms together in demonstration. "Oh please! It's bad enough that momma's on her side, All the time she’s telling me ‘Angela just graduated from college - while she was working. Angela just got a job promotion. Angela’s aprofessz'onal.’ You'd think Angela was her blood daughter, and I wasjust some nitwit she got involved with." “Well, Angela’s a pretty special girl. You're lucky she's the one raising your son," Ben said. “Yeah, I know I couldn't ask for a better mother for Saul, Still, her accomplishments don't need to be thrown in my face all the time." 4- 3 Show less
“There you go getting all high and fuckin’ mighty with me, when you're nothing but a criminal and an addict. If you've cleaned yourself up, then what’s to worry? Now back the hell off and you watch yourself, or you’ll find yourself back behind bars quicker than you can pee in a cup, now is that... Show more“There you go getting all high and fuckin’ mighty with me, when you're nothing but a criminal and an addict. If you've cleaned yourself up, then what’s to worry? Now back the hell off and you watch yourself, or you’ll find yourself back behind bars quicker than you can pee in a cup, now is that what you want?” Damon stepped back a step. “Mike, you know I'm straight now. [just had a couple beers to celebrate my release. That’s all. I wouldn't have gotten the release papers if I still had a drug problem. You know this.” “Do I? Well, that’s my job Damon, to make sure you’re straight. So go pee in the goddamned cup before I have you written up." Damon tried negotiating. "Please, Mike, you know this is just a formality I’ve already proven myself to the state. I know I probably shouldn’t have had beer tonight, but I was celebrating. I swear to God that I haven‘t done anything else.” “Well, that’s for the test to determine. It seems a bit pre- mature for you to be celebrating. You may have conned the bureaucrat, but I’m not entirely convinced." “It was only beer. Beer isn't an illegal substance." Damon’s protests were becoming desperate. “Well, it might as well be for you. You know drinking is prohibited. You made your choice, so go on.” And with that he thrust the cup in Damon’s hand and refused to listen anymore. Damon went into the bathroom and slammed the door. He took the cup and unscrewed the cap, placing it on the side of the sink. He paced back and forth trying to think of what to do. He felt in his pockets for the kit he had Ben order for him to neu— tralize the traces of alcohol in his system, realizing in a panic that he had probably left it at Ben‘s house the last time he was there. Shit! Think, think, think! He leaned over the sink, look- ing at himself in the mirror. It was too good to be true, too god— damned much to hope for. Shit, now how much water was it to 46 Show less
The dial tone disappears and my mind is pulled back into my body. I can hear clicking; the locking and unlocking of deadbolts and the Mother Superior of the Phone Company speaks: "If you would like to make a call please hang up and try again. If you need help. hang up and then dial your operator.... Show moreThe dial tone disappears and my mind is pulled back into my body. I can hear clicking; the locking and unlocking of deadbolts and the Mother Superior of the Phone Company speaks: "If you would like to make a call please hang up and try again. If you need help. hang up and then dial your operator." It's my last warning before the off—hook banshee wails. I hang up. I want; I need help. I dial zero. A recording answers, "US West, this is Joan." “How can I help you?" The real Joan sounds like a pack a day mother of eight. “I need help," I mutter. “Sir, would you like me to dial 9] I?" Practiced, emotionless and suc- cinct; right out of the US \Vest handbook. “No,” my voice has all the texture of a bloated drowned frog. I feel tears coming. .loan hangs up. The dial tone's malicious affinnation weighs on my eardrum like a dozen dancing Dumbos. My stomach pounds and my chest aches. I feel like I'm in a vacuum. My mind is slipping away again. Through my clouded eyes constellations appear in the speckled floor. There's Ursula Major. Gemini, Draco and Orion. I hang up and let the phone slip away. I roll over so that my face lies flat against the floor inches away from the oxen. My tears make U-turns and run down the other side of my face. Tangled and corkscrewed on the kitchen floor I am content to stay here the rest of my life. I open my eyes for a moment to peer underneath the oven. In the two inch crevasse between it and the floor, where cooks bury their mistakes and gremlins hide, staring back at me is a wrinkled and dry baby pea — all alone. Orion Wisness 39 Show less
87. We eat. We aren’t at all intriguing And by no means something permanent. The recipes of your life require reading And my line is no indeterminate, But what writ will write all your wanting, What reader page through my unnervings? The result of a sentence is its ending In forgotten concordance... Show more87. We eat. We aren’t at all intriguing And by no means something permanent. The recipes of your life require reading And my line is no indeterminate, But what writ will write all your wanting, What reader page through my unnervings? The result of a sentence is its ending In forgotten concordance or unattended burning. You gave up yourself — your learning For comfort where mistakes come for making; In our knowing shows misunderstanding So, I’ll slip away, ready for baking. Thus I have watched us grow fatter and fatter Alone king or queen, and alone is what matters. Aaron Gabriel Show less
