FICTION

Sudha Balagopal elaborates on what strange things come from being locked in a bathroom.

In which Phyllis Green shares the dangers and joys of teeth.

“Please don’t propose to me on the subway," a character in Lisa Maher's fiction begs.  "I know that you’re trying to be romantic, and you think it’s sweet that we’re ‘moving forward’ metaphorically while traveling uptown, but please don’t do this here."



Sarah Sarai ponders the inevitability of interpersonal relationships.


MULTIMEDIA



Bill Mullen shows us what Scarred Optimism looks like.

Cetywa Powell takes us to El Matador Beach.

Clinton Van Inman shares his beautiful realist paintings with us.

CREATIVE NONFICTION

Explore perception and dimension with Julie Jordan Avritt.

Joelle Berger reconnects with an an old friend in an unexpected way.

Janet Dale becomes so lost in a moment that she can hear the unspoken music of life.

Donna Girouard comments on perspective, life, and the world of the front porch.

Notice how deftly Jennifer McGaha walks that fine line between memory and family secrets.

Robert Vivian questions the spirit.


POETRY

In which Sarah Dravec explores the power of pajamas.

Consider what cannot be ordered with Anna Leahy.

Dale Patterson shows us that the solitary moments  are sometimes the hardest.

Consider apples and airports in the surreal imagery of Scott Volz.

Michael Wells meditates on the things we cannot let go of so easily.

You are presently reading the February 2014 issue of Gravel. 

It was written by the names you see to the left of this little wall of text, and edited by graduate students of the MFA program in creative writing at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Some things to note about this issue: Nicolas Poynter's "Bonham," caused quite the stir amongst our staff.  When arguments concerning the merits and flaws inherent in the flash artform began ending in fisticuffs we decided to settle the matter with an old fashioned duel.  We present the piece here as a testament to the form.  We're excited to present Jenny Ferguson's video and poetry--we're always looking for hybrid pieces and innovation in multimedia.  Julie Jordan Avritt and Janet Dale both experiment with form to create nonfiction that is as unexpected as it is gorgeous. 

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