Issue 9, November 2011
Fire is a life sustaining element but it can also be the source of devastating loss both emotionally and physically. In his story, Before the Trip by Adetokunbo Abiola, Abiola tells of how a young woman in Africa bought adulterated kerosene that exploded in her face when she used it and how her life changed after the explosion. In the story she attempts to seek help for her burns but has many trials on her way to recovery.
In the art piece, After the Fire by Ashley-Renée Cribbins, the artist depicts the ruins smoldering after the 1991 Oakland Hills, California fire storm that devastated the area. Homes have since been rebuilt but memories of the event and destruction will never entirely go away.
The poem, Campfire Nights by Kelly Winters, looks at the useful and protective side of fire. The campfire is the centerpiece for roasting marshmallows, telling scary stories and keeping wild things away from the campers. Kelly Winters won the Imitation Fruit, Fruit Flambé contest for her poem.
In this issue there are many stories and poems that highlight love, loss, survival, renewal and intense passion that will keep the fire burning as you read this issue of Imitation Fruit.
Imitation Fruit's next issue will be our 10th issue marking 5 years of the journal. Take a look at our back issues for a trip down memory lane. We want to create a mood of celebration in the next issue of the journal. We invite you to submit short stories, poems, and artwork that depict a celebration or triumph. The winner of the contest will receive a $25 gift card to an online retailer of their choice.
*Cover artwork by John Barrows
Enjoy!
Eva Barrows, Editor
eva(at)imitationfruit(dot)com
- After the Fire
Artwork by Ashley-Renée Cribbins
*- Artwork depicting the aftermath of the Oakland Hills, California fire storm.
- Before the Trip
Story by Adetokunbo Abiola
Artwork by John Barrows- A young woman in Africa, badly burned by a kerosene explosion, goes on a journey to seek treatment for her wounds in another town but several loan sharks she is indebted to attempt to collect her debt as she struggles to catch the only bus out of town that will get her to her treatment in time.
- The People v. Hiroko Uno
Story by Linda Ferguson
Artwork by Diana Blackwell- An examination of Hiroko Uno's life before and after her rock star famous husband dies. Hiroko acknowledges how she has changed over the years and how the perceptions of other people have changed toward her.
- Kamadhenu Karma
Story by Paul Many
Artwork by Andrew McIntyre- While Gopal is in the city buying supplies for the ashram, his taste buds are lured by the thought of eating forbidden barbecued steak to a restaurant where the not so nice waitress brings him a Salisbury steak which was not what he was dreaming of at all.
- Who Told Me So?
Story by Rose Hamilton-Gottlieb
Artwork by Eric Greenhut- The narrator of this story suddenly stopped hearing the voice of her deceased husband in her head when she hired a gardener to help her put a garden in at her home. The narrator wonders what happened to the voice of her husband.
- On The Road Again
Story by Thomas Sullivan
Artwork by Margaret Mendel- A true story of a driving instructor teaching two students who learn to drive in very different ways.
- After Lunch
Story by Stanley Ely
Artwork by Ashley-Renée Cribbins- Ed and Arthur are friends and co-workers at a prestigious advertising firm. Ed has a secret that he wants to tell Arthur about but is not sure what will happen if he does.
- The Narcissus
Story by Cari Oleskewicz
Artwork by Ira Joel Haber- Rachel knew her best friend was about to marry the wrong man but she did not know how to convince her friend of her mistake until the two women met a man buying flowers who seemed to be everything that the fiancé was not.
- Millie's Place
Story by Barbara Ann Eknoian
Artwork by Eric Greenhut- Millie opened her home as a boarding house after her husband passed away. She seemed to be focusing much of her time on her tenants and home. When Millie took time out for herself a particular tenant noticed and asked if he could join her.
- What Might've Been
Story by Bob Mustin
Artwork by Keith Moul- Sam is confronted by the memories of two old girlfriends when one of the girlfriend's husband passes away and the other old flame visits Sam’s pool hall when he is out and leaves a note for him.
- Witches Gumbo
Story by Susan Lynn Solomon
Artwork by SN Jacobson- Three generations of Cajun women learn from their aunt the Swamp Witch how to cast spells with hopes of keeping their abusive husbands and fathers at bay.
- Receipt at Ogden's Twist
Story by Tom Sheehan
Artwork by Linda Wood- Trace watched the actions of the uncouth Dirty Molly Sadow and noticed that she threw a mysterious bag in the river, he had a feeling that there was something precious inside that bag so he jumped in the river after it.
