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Editor-in-Chief:
Kenneth Brosky

Managing Editor:
Stephanie Nolasco

Associate Editor:
Janelle Kennedy

Illusions

        Michelle Ashley

Addicts at the bar
flock in pretty pairs to the ladies’ room where
the bartender has spread a preemptive
layer of lilac hand soap over the corner cabinet top
that is their snorting table

but they’re too fucked up to notice
and reflex tears make it difficult
to work the rusted hook-and-eye lock
that opens
and closes the door.

They come out red faced and
wave their hands for effect.
They giggle and sniff and grope
in each others’ shallow jeans’ pockets
for tissue
but settle instead
for sweat-on Illusions
cocktail napkins.

They’ll bond over this
in the parking lot afterglow
and later
they’ll cry and
pretend to regret it
at their respective inevitable
interventions.