“I said that there are prayers even to say upon witnessing lightning.” – Chloe N. Clark, “We Who Vanish”

“There’s only one rule I know of, babies—God damn it, you’ve got to be kind.” – Kurt Vonnegut, ‘God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater’

“No reverting and no instant replay, but I remember what the air felt like at every major juncture.” – Sawako Nakayasu, “7.8.2003”

“a practice // we talking about,” – Ross Gay, ‘Be Holding’

“[My parents] liked having the pool in the courtyard. My mother said it wasn’t the sea but it was nice to open the door and have some water.” – lê thi diem thúy, ‘The Gangster We Are All Looking For’

“I fell at the party. / I’m still at the party.” – Joshua Beckman and Matthew Rohrer, ‘Nice Hat. Thanks.’

“Just because his parents were born in Minnesaota didn’t mean Hawai’i wasn’t his.” – Kristiana Kahakauwila, “The Road To Hāna”

“…leaves like an alien sun, a watery olive tone behind the darker green of the holly. When Jay doesn’t say anything, Allie says, ‘It’s a work in progress.'” – Kim Fu, “Do You Remember Candy”

“—Enjoy your unicorn. / —I will.” – Kim Fu, “Pre-Simulation Consultation XF007867”

“party, & they are the party, & it / is a ghost party. / Excuse me, a spooky babe party. My favorite bedtime story: Once upon a time,” – Chen Chen, “The School of a Few or a Lot of My Favorite Things