Windward Review Vol. 20 (2022): Beginnings and Endings
"Beginnings and Endings" (2022) challenged South Texas writers and beyond to narrate structures of beginnings and ends. What results is a collection of poetry, prose, hybrid writing, and photography that haunts, embraces, and consoles all the same. Similar to past WR volumes, this collection defies easy elaboration - it contains diverse tones, languages, colors, and creative spaces. Creative pieces within the text builds upon others, allowing polyvocal narratives to interlock and defy the logic of 'beginning-middle-end'. By the end of this collection, you will neither sense nor crave the finality that a typical text brings. Instead, you will be inspired to learn and create beyond a narrative linear structure. Your reading and support is sincerely appreciated.
"Beginnings and Endings" (2022) challenged South Texas writers and beyond to narrate structures of beginnings and ends. What results is a collection of poetry, prose, hybrid writing, and photography that haunts, embraces, and consoles all the same. Similar to past WR volumes, this collection defies easy elaboration - it contains diverse tones, languages, colors, and creative spaces. Creative pieces within the text builds upon others, allowing polyvocal narratives to interlock and defy the logic of 'beginning-middle-end'. By the end of this collection, you will neither sense nor crave the finality that a typical text brings. Instead, you will be inspired to learn and create beyond a narrative linear structure. Your reading and support is sincerely appreciated.
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
She jerked her h<strong>and</strong> out of his. Jason turned around in startlement. “You need to<br />
leave.”<br />
He didn’t move. “Rhiannon–”<br />
“No.” She took a step back. “I already told you no.”<br />
Then his gaze shifted. His usual pout <strong>and</strong> sad eyes were replaced with something<br />
cold.<br />
“What do you think happens from here?” he asked, his voice startlingly calm.<br />
“You’ll find a new boyfriend, <strong>and</strong> you’ll realize he’s just like me. Maybe worse. And if you<br />
manage to leave him, there will be another to take his place because you can’t be alone.”<br />
He shook his head. “You’re not upset with me. You’re upset with the fact that you’re always<br />
going to be stuck with someone like me.”<br />
The h<strong>and</strong> around her throat gripped tighter. But she said, “You don’t know<br />
anything about me,” <strong>and</strong> then her breaths were coming in again. I’m not leaving. I’m not<br />
leaving. I’m not leaving.<br />
“I know how long you actually wanted to break up with me,” he countered. “I<br />
know you wouldn’t let yourself admit it to yourself at first, because you knew you wouldn’t<br />
do anything about it. I know that you cry after I yell at you but you still thank me for my<br />
apology the next day.” His eyes were glued to her. “If you’re going to live with a rope around<br />
your neck, why not just jump?”<br />
“I’m not. That’s not–” Rhiannon forced herself to hold his gaze even though he<br />
didn’t seem like Jason anymore <strong>and</strong> the thought terrified her. “You’re the rope. I’m cutting<br />
you off here <strong>and</strong> now.” He started to speak, but she took a breath <strong>and</strong> said, “Get out of my<br />
house.”<br />
Again, he started to speak. Rhiannon was louder. “Get out of my house. Get out<br />
of my house.”<br />
Her vision went black.<br />
Five<br />
Rhiannon loved weighted blankets ever since she was a kid. She’d bury herself<br />
in blankets <strong>and</strong> her mom would complain that she was going to get too hot, but she<br />
didn’t care. She liked that it made her feel grounded.<br />
When she came to, that was what she thought of - a weighted blanket. Her<br />
skin was warm <strong>and</strong> she felt heavy where she laid, like she’d finally settled somewhere.<br />
There wasn’t a blanket on her, just a thin sheet. But there was a h<strong>and</strong> smoothing her<br />
hair from her face.<br />
“It’s alright. I’m here. I’m here.”<br />
She blinked her eyes open at her mother’s voice. A harsh white light greeted<br />
her, <strong>and</strong> she had to shut her eyes again. Her mind was still groggy <strong>and</strong> unfocused, but<br />
she processed where she was. Hospital.<br />
Shaking, she reached for her mother’s h<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> then squeezed it.<br />
<strong>Beginnings</strong> X <strong>Endings</strong><br />
80
Change language