Parley Staff Picks: Copy Editor, Tswana Caine
We’ve received a number of exceptional submissions, and Parley’s Copy Editor, Tswana Caine picked some of her favorites (in no particular order).
The Goblin Shack Ganker by Kirk Thomas
I’ve chosen this piece because I was instantly captivated by the sensory language at the beginning. I could hear screams and cries, I could feel a thick grimy atmosphere, and taste a putrid boiling stew on the tip of my tongue.
Dirty Fake Plant by Olivia Lemmons
This piece is great at showing a unique way in which our frustrations can manifest onto the objects around us. A fake houseplant is, for all intents and purposes, harmless and incapable of either good or evil. Rather than deal with the frustrations she has with herself directly, the narrator projects her feelings toward the fake houseplant.
Orange Sherbet and Lemon Ice by Alexandra Hall
I find this piece relatable as someone who spent their teen years in hospital rooms dealing with chronic pain. We don’t often recognize young adults balancing illness and schooling and the emotional trials of being an adolescent, and this piece shows how each of these can chip away at each other. At the end, none of these pieces feel complete, and all that is left is a yearning.
Paper Moon by Mia Conover
I knew that “Paper Moon” was one of my favorites the first time that I read it. The poem feels delicate, asking to be handled with caution. Speak softly and tread lightly through this piece, careful to not harm the canary, mindful of illusions, and watchful over the paper moon.
Demonology by Aubrey Eisel
Who doesn’t love a bit of teenage rebellion and angst? Rebellious teens can often be described as little demons, but Neveah’s mother genuinely believes she is possessed. And what, all because she snuck out to party? I went on a journey composed of sympathy and humor and emerged on the other side with a chill down my spine and a craving for more.
Snow Day by Gary Walker
Every day feels like a snow day to me during the coronavirus pandemic. Each morning I wake up knowing that I don’t need to get up right away- nothing needs my immediate attention. I can take a few deep breaths, explore my staccato thoughts, and drift back into the comfort of my dreams and bed.
