Middle Cat is writing a story, and Little Cat is looking over his shoulder making unhelpful suggestions. “You’re tempted, aren’t you?” yowls Little Cat. “You’re tempted to make the weather reflect the mood of the story. To make the sad moments take place in the rain and the joyous moments take place in full sunlight….
Category: Another World Within
Every Time: A Poem for Pulse
Thank you to Laura Viau for this poem. This is Laura’s first appearance in our magazine. It has been 6 years and a few days, as of this publication, since 49 people were murdered at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando. Every time the day approaches There is some part of me that knows Way before…
In Dreams
We’d like to thank Morgan Sloan for his first submission to our magazine. If you enjoyed “In Dreams,” make sure to look for him on Twitter, and visit his website. See me You are? Nice to Hug, too Oh yes Undress Kiss here Your ear Your lips Your hips Now there Like air Neck, skin…
My Grandfather’s Good Hand
Last night somewhere dark hung with picturesMy grandfather was walking behind me whenHe fellBecause he had died some months before; I turned around to see:Frightful wounds were opening on his bodyI reached for his hand to help him upHe extended the good hand The good hand that had always worked for twoWhose grip, as he…
Learning to Take up Space
Pride started as a riot. And since then it’s been somewhere between a protest and a party. What if this year, for me, Pride Month is about figuring out how to take up space and find my seat at the table? In other words, about finding my Pride? These days, I take up space mainly…
How to… (Sunday Summary)
Two weeks ago we focused on “Real Questions.” Last week we focused on “Real Answers.” This week it seems that we’re focused on “how-to.” And the interesting thing about it is that these themes are coincidental. The 2 Rules team doesn’t often sit down to plan themes or related pieces unless we’re focused on observing special…
Decisions, Decisions (Caturday Questions)
Writers have a saying: “Kill your darlings.” But sometimes Little Cat doesn’t like to kill his darlings. Sometimes he likes to let them think they’ve escaped… Then trap them by putting his paw on their tails. THEN kill them. And then, finally, put them on Human-Mom’s knee while she’s trying to read a book. This…
An Archaic Concept of Me: Shoulder Energy
Here we are, about to read the sixth delivery of ‘An Archaic Concept of Me’.For those who would like to begin at the beginning, Delivery 1 can be found here.In that initiating delivery we found Aleena and Stuart enjoying a new morning of privilege, waking for breakfast in bed, with water views, figs and all….
Bullied by my Teachers
It was weird. Rick, my former PhD advisor and an established scholar, quit academia and was running a shop. I forget what he sold. He welcomed me with open arms, chatted with me briefly, and walked away. He had another customer to serve. Just as I turned around, my eyes met with Henrietta, my college…
Shakespeare Authorship Question
On the face of it, Who wrote the plays of “Shakespeare”? is not an interesting question. The answer is “Shakespeare.” People will make objections and say “what if?” or “isn’t it true that…?” But these are easily answered. I used to get asked this question quite a lot. Comes with the territory of working towards…