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Fall/Winter 2009-10
tom oristaglio
scott summers
cindy childress
tom rechtin
james b. nicola
debra rymer
doug draime
corey mesler
rebecca schumejda
chris crittenden
arlene ang
joey nicoletti
brad johnson
lorie allred
elizabeth kay
alexander russo
nissa lee
kenneth gurney
jessi lee gaylord
keith brighouse
ajay vishwanathan
ethel rohan
william "cully" bryant
julie steiner
Steiner Interview
by Alex Nodopaka
Jennifer VanBuren
Jai Britton
Alex Nodopaka
Patrick Carrington
Mannequin Envy in memory of poet and artist Douglas Gamrath
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William "Cully" Bryant
Carrion Commanders
We march in unearthly heat below jet-black wings, stopping only to sleep, fight…and die. Today, the birds follow we in blue, though the gray are just as tasty. Turning in lazy circles, higher and higher on the updrafts, they have never known such plenty, growing fat on the flesh of strong, young men. When our muskets grow quiet, before the last smoke clears, they swoop in like locusts, easily avoiding those who try to shoo them away. They always go for the eyes first. Though the body is dead, the fear still lives there, and they ease our suffering by plucking them.
Of everything I face – death, disease, filth – the headless dead and legless dying – the birds are my darkest fear…for they never leave. If ever I had an opportunity to forget my plight, they steal it from me. I see their horrid shadows on the ground before me, knowing that they know the banquet will be sure and plenty. With them aloft, there is no ignoring my station and they will vanish from view either when this war has ended - or with the sliding of my own eyes down a foul gullet.
Cully's bio: William “Cully” Bryant is a physician, author and Associate Editor for OAK BEND REVIEW. His writing can be found online or in print journals including, but not limited to: CLAPBOARD HOUSE, UNDERGROUND VOICES, BEESWAX, BOSTON LITERARY, FLUTTER, AMPERSAN
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