Creative Writing Commons^™

Volume 11 Issue 1

NEBO: A Literary Journal

This issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal, uniquely titled "Cafe Nebo," captures the essence of a vibrant and eclectic literary café, where poetry, fiction, and nonfiction converge in a dynamic and thought-provoking collection. Originally archived as Volume 11, Issue 1, this issue is actually Volume 15, Issue 2, covering Spring 1997. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original journals.

This issue is dedicated to Dr. Joyce Dempsey, a distinguished Arkansas Tech University professor of English …

Volume 10 Issue 2

NEBO: A Literary Journal

This issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal presents a unique collection of "Pop Icon Poetry and Fiction," a thematic exploration of celebrity culture, mythology, and its impact on literature and identity. Originally archived as Volume 10, Issue 2, this issue is actually Volume 15, Issue 1, covering Fall 1996. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original journals.

This issue takes a satirical and reflective approach to celebrity worship, Hollywood myths, and pop culture’s influence on artistic expression …

Volume 10 Issue 1

NEBO: A Literary Journal

This issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal offers a compelling collection of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and literary criticism, highlighting a variety of literary styles and themes. Originally archived as Volume 10, Issue 1, this issue is actually Volume 14, Issue 2, covering Spring 1996. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original journals.

This issue explores themes of memory, identity, relationships, humor, and the role of storytelling in literature. It features an engaging blend of narrative poetry, …

Volume 9, Issue 2

NEBO: A Literary Journal

This issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal offers a rich collection of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and literary criticism, reflecting a diverse array of voices and themes. Originally archived as Volume 9, Issue 2, this issue is actually Volume 14, Issue 1, covering Fall 1995. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original journals.

This issue explores themes of war and memory, identity and self-discovery, artistic expression, and regional storytelling, featuring works that delve into deeply personal and …

Volume 9, Issue 1

NEBO: A Literary Journal

This issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal presents a compelling collection of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and literary criticism, offering a diverse and thought-provoking exploration of contemporary literature. Originally archived as Volume 9, Issue 1, this issue is actually Volume 13, Issue 2, covering Spring 1995. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original journals.

This issue features a remarkable selection of Arkansas Tech Writers, showcasing student contributions alongside established literary voices. Themes of family, identity, war, and …

Volume 8, Issue 2

NEBO: A Literary Journal

This issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal is a remarkable showcase of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and literary criticism, highlighting a diverse range of voices and themes. Originally archived as Volume 8, Issue 2, this issue is actually Volume 13, Issue 1, covering Fall 1994. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original journals.

This issue features a special section dedicated to New Formalism, a poetic movement that sought to reintroduce traditional meter and narrative structures into contemporary …

Volume 8, Issue 1

NEBO: A Literary Journal

This special double issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal is a powerful collection of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and literary criticism, originally archived as Volume 8, Issue 1, but actually Volume 12, Issues 1 & 2, covering Spring 1994. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original journals.

This issue is dedicated to Dr. William D. Seidensticker, a professor of philosophy at Arkansas Tech University, whose intellectual contributions and passion for philosophical inquiry inspired many students and faculty. …

Volume 7, Issue 2

NEBO: A Literary Journal

This issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal presents a rich and thought-provoking selection of poetry, fiction, essays, and literary reviews, reflecting the breadth and diversity of contemporary literary voices. Originally archived as Volume 7, Issue 2, this issue is actually Volume 11, Issue 2, covering Fall 1993. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original journals.

This issue features deeply introspective poetry, with themes ranging from personal history and memory in On Finding My Grandmother’s Letters to the …

Volume 7, Issue 1

NEBO: A Literary Journal

This issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal continues its commitment to showcasing an eclectic mix of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and literary criticism. Originally archived as Volume 7, Issue 1, this issue is actually Volume 11, Issue 1, covering Spring 1993. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original journals.

With a focus on experimental storytelling, mythology, historical narratives, and contemporary literary criticism, this issue captures a range of voices from both student contributors and established writers. Highlights include …

Volume 6, Issue 2

NEBO: A Literary Journal

This issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal continues its tradition of publishing a diverse array of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and visual art, offering a platform for both emerging and established writers. Originally archived as Volume 6, Issue 2, this issue is actually Volume 10, Issue 2, covering Fall 1992. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original journals.

Featuring an eclectic mix of contemporary poetry, short fiction, and literary essays, this issue captures a broad spectrum of themes, …

Volume 6 Issue 1

NEBO: A Literary Journal

This special edition of Nebo: A Literary Journal, titled "Herstory", is a tribute to the voices of women writers throughout history and across cultures. Originally archived as Volume 6, Issue 1, this issue is actually Volume 10, Issue 1, covering Fall and Spring of the 1991-1992 academic year. Due to necessary metadata adjustments in the digital archiving process, some volume and issue numbers in the online collection may not match those printed in the original print editions.

This issue explores the rich contributions of women in literature, featuring poetry, fiction, nonfiction, translations, and literary criticism. …

Volume 5, Issue 2

NEBO: A Literary Journal

This issue of Nebo: A Literary Journal represents a dynamic collection of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, translations, and visual art, showcasing a diverse range of voices from emerging and established writers. Originally archived as Volume 5, Issue 2, this issue is actually Volume 9, covering Fall and Spring of the 1990-1991 academic year. As part of the ongoing archival process, some volume and issue numbers in the digital collection may not correspond with those printed in the original journals. Despite these variations, the commitment of Nebo to fostering literary excellence and supporting the creative arts remains unwavering. This …

Tell Them We Were Bees, Diamond L. Garrett

Masters Theses

Tell Them We Were Bees is composed of 55 poems. The thesis uses different poetic forms and a variety of literary and rhetoric devices to facilitate the imagery of bees including but not limited to their functions and how they are perceived. The symbolism of bees and nature used throughout in analogies and metaphors represent the experiences of African Americans and women in the society and culture of the United States. The thesis will draw on aspects of racism: such as the system that continues to uplift racism, micro aggressive experiences, internalized racism, colorism, hate crimes, and other personal experiences …

Volume 6, Issue 2

NEBO: A Literary Journal

Nebo, Volume 6, Issue 2 (Fall 1987), continues its dedication to showcasing a diverse array of literary voices through poetry, fiction, and critical reviews. Although this issue is labeled as Volume 6, Issue 1 within the journal itself, it is officially recognized as Volume 6, Issue 2 in the Nebo archive. Featuring contributions from writers such as John Gery, H.L. Hix, and Katharyn Machan Aal, this issue explores themes of war, memory, identity, and the craft of storytelling. Highlights include poetic reflections on personal and historical trauma, introspective explorations of human relationships, and critical essays on contemporary literary works. …

Volume 6, Issue 1

NEBO: A Literary Journal

Nebo, Volume 6, Issue 1 (Spring 1987), continues its tradition of showcasing a rich array of literary voices through poetry, fiction, and critical reviews. This issue presents a mix of evocative storytelling and thought-provoking verse, featuring works by authors such as Grace Cash, Jim Finley, and Paul Lake. The selections engage with themes of history, place, love, and existential reflection, capturing both the personal and the universal. With its roots in Arkansas Tech University, Nebo remains a vibrant platform for emerging and established writers, offering a compelling collection of creative expression.

Volume 5, Issue 1

NEBO: A Literary Journal

Nebo, Volume 5, Issue 1 (Spring 1986), showcases a diverse range of literary works, including poetry, fiction, and critical reviews. This issue features compelling short stories that explore themes of identity, memory, and transformation, while the poetry selections capture moments of personal and collective experience. Highlights include works by Jack Butler, Marian Motley-Carcache, and other contributors, as well as critical reviews of contemporary literary works. Published by Arkansas Tech University, Nebo continues its tradition of providing a platform for emerging and established writers.

Nebo: Volume 2, Issue 1

NEBO: A Literary Journal

Nebo, Arkansas Tech University’s literary journal, continues its tradition of showcasing innovative and thought-provoking creative writing in its Spring 1984 issue. This volume brings together poetry, fiction, and essays from a diverse range of voices, reflecting the evolving landscape of contemporary literature. Featuring work from both emerging and established writers, this issue delves into themes of memory, transformation, and the human condition. Readers will discover a collection rich with narrative depth, poetic experimentation, and critical literary discourse. As Nebo enters its second volume, it reaffirms its role as a space for artistic expression and literary excellence.

Nebo: Volume 1, Issue 1

NEBO: A Literary Journal

Nebo Literary Journal is a dynamic collection of contemporary fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction that highlights emerging voices in literature. Curated by Arkansas Tech University, this issue features a diverse range of storytelling, lyrical expression, and thought-provoking essays that explore themes of identity, human connection, and the power of narrative. With contributions from talented writers across genres, Nebo serves as a creative space for literary exploration and artistic expression. Whether through evocative poetry or compelling short stories, this issue invites readers to immerse themselves in the richness of modern literature.

Poetry On The Mountain: Hiking Moosilauke In A Mood, Elissa Ely

Appalachia

Near the summit of Mount Moosilauke, someone hands a hiker a copy of a Billy Collins poem with a typo.

Editor’s note: We have redacted the quoted lines of the Collins poem. Appalachia’s agreement to reprint part of “Night Letter to the Reader” covers only the print edition of the journal. Physical copies of this issue can be purchased at outdoors.org.

Words Unspoken, Andreea Popa

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

"Words Unspoken" is a poem depicting the emotional hardships encountered as an emergency medicine physician.

One Of These Things: A Poetic Exploration Of Waste And Discordant Objects, Brittany Ellsworth

The Goose

In this narrative essay, I present my thoughts and concerns about the physical waste I encounter on my adventures in my hometown of Corner Brook, NL. I also introduce and differentiate between garbage and my proposed concept of discordant objects and how these objects have inspired my poetic and creative writing practice. The essay concludes with a poem and photograph of one such discordant object.

How Long Until No Longer This? Notes On Incomplete Research Into How Long It Will Take These Mylar Balloons In The Shape Of A 5 And A 3 To Decompose Entirely, Anna Swanson, April White

The Goose

This poem is from “The Garbage Poems,” a series of poems from a forthcoming book of the same name in which poems are created using the text transcribed from garbage found at local swimming holes. The project is interested in themes of chronic illness, concussion, queerness, climate crisis, garbage, cultural constructions of "litter," swimming, embodiment, and joy. Using only words taken from source text found on garbage collected from beaches and lakes near Ameliasburgh, ON, this poem explores the timelines of human-created objects and power structures.

Requiem For A Gull: Two Poems, Joanna Streetly

The Goose

A seabird’s death is mourned through “Requiem for a Gull” by Joanna Streetly, while "Dip & Skim" exlores the omnipresent nature of waste.

"Elegy At 10,000 Feet," "Pink Moon," "Day In Reverse Order", Paulette Bane

Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Odesa Will Never Be A 'Russian' City Again, Ian R. Singleton

Living in Languages

Russophone poet Galina Itskovich wrote the statement serving as the title of this text about the identity of her native Odesa, Ukraine in 2023, more than a year and a half after the full-scale invasion by Russia. I propose an examination of the relationship of contemporary Odesan writers to the Russian language. Sources for this examination include the work of writers in or from Odesa such as Galina Itskovich, Maria Galina, Oleg Fesenko, and Igor Bozhko. To discuss what this situation means for translation, such as is demanded by Ukraine’s 2019 law on the status of the Ukrainian language, I …

Shedding, Emerging; A Rebirth, Christina Van Dueck

English and Creative Writing | Senior Theses

This thesis is a collection of poems; divided into two parts, the first section intimately explores physicality and essence through graphic writing, inspired by Emerson’s work that is deeply rooted in transcendentalism, idealism, and the divinity of nature. The second part of the collection breathes life into the first through an introspection of naturalistic elements based on linguistic tactility. Inspired by Emily Dickinson, this collection embodies complex celestial imagery to display the abstractness of presence and detachment. Both collections comment on the interconnectedness of human nature in its rawest form and seek to encapsulate a soulful display of the innate …

Coeval 2025, Amy Holmberg Editor, Trina Warkentin Editor, Sadie Buteyn Fiction Editor, Emily Costa Fiction Editor, Katelyn Bierma Nonfiction Editor, Michael Harjo Poetry Editor, Lauren Groff Poetry Editor, Tiana Higgins Art Editor, Bright Holst Design Editor, Elizabeth Caneday Contributor, Abby Chalmers Contributor, Kaleb Cramer Contributor, Malachi Fox Contributor, Jayda Francis Contributor, Chloe A. Harvick Contributor, Amelia Keillor Contributor, Kade Nystrom Contributor, Elle Pehrson Contributor, Alyse Petersen Contributor, Eleanor Schuebel Contributor, Kailey Tan Contributor, Elizabeth Turner Contributor

Coeval

On behalf of the Coeval editing team, we proudly present the 2025 issue of Bethel University’s Coeval Literary magazine. As you read through this journal, you will find poetry, prose, fiction, and visual art about the beauties and hardships of life. Together, Bethel University students and faculty contributed to make this magazine happen. We loved reading each submission and viewing every art piece. More than anything, we look forward to what students will continue to create! Thank you for reading.

Sincerely, Trina Warkentin and Amy Holmberg

Cover Art: Places to Be by Natalie Enos

Colors, Volume 1, Jeff Vasiloff, Md, Mph

Physician Assistant Scholarly and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Metaphors For Metamorphosis: The Poetics Of Kenosis And The Apophasis Of Self In Saint John Of The Cross, George Faithful

Social Justice | Faculty Scholarship

Spanish mystic Saint Juan (John) of the Cross (1542–1591) began writing poetry while imprisoned by his own monastic order. He developed manuals for contemplation, in part, in the form of commentaries on his principal poems. Their first-person narrators were women who underwent metamorphoses in order to pursue love: one became a dove in her despair; another became flame itself; the last disguised herself as a knight. Juan explained that all three represented the soul that is seeking God. For readers, these metaphors could engender cognitive dissonance, through which they might step outside of themselves and move closer to union with …

Poetry And Fiction Reading From Introduction To Creative Writing, Cara Dees, Conrad Ligasan, Justice Jackson, Hannah Wagner, Sammi Matias, Mathias Stewart, Reagan Lane, Claire Carrillo, Zander Schirmer

SPARK Symposium Presentations

This poetry and fiction reading features several student presenters from "English 2430: Introduction to Creative Writing" – many of whom are performing their creative work to a live audience for the first time. Whether through poetry or prose, these students' inventive use of language and storytelling will hook you from beginning to end.