Barophobia
The superhero could not find a cure
for his lice.
Invisibility streamed dreams into his
scalp.
Flying burned his hair into skin.
At night, the superhero slept inside
the walls.
He was never alone, and that was the
way he liked it.
When it rained, the dawn chorus woke
the villains,
and the superhero stood on the brink
of a volcano
to find out what was true.
You’re allowed just one phone call
You’re allowed just one phone call after you die. The phone call must last for at least thirty hours but no more than five years. You can only call the last person you shared a meal with. Your conversation must not contain the words “love,” “sorry,” or “bird.” Your conversation must include the words “forgive,” “home,” and “ballet.” All phone calls will be recorded and then erased. The erased recording will be played on your birthday. You cannot laugh while listening to the recording. Failure to adhere to the rules will cost you ten points. Your time starts now.
Elena Zhang is a Chinese American writer and mother living in Chicago. Her work can be found in HAD, The Citron Review, and X-R-A-Y, among other publications. She is a Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net nominee, and was selected for Best Microfiction 2024 and 2025.
