“An ounce of blood is thicker than a pound of friendship.” So goes the Spanish proverb, putting weight on the importance of family bonds. The poetry, video reading, and short stories below are intimate, raw portrayals of these blood ties, exposing the love, disdain, responsibilities, jealousy, and unwavering loyalty between brothers and sisters across time.
Gregory Brown
Smoke Jumpers
That’s what they teach us. Don’t stop and don’t panic.
Eugene Cross
The Brother
Million Writers Award 2009 Notable Story
Matthew Dickman
Sad Little Outlaw
I was always being left behind in the mud.
Kara Levy
Tyrannosaurus Rex
I will tell you about the sick. They are ruthless.
Barbra Nightingale
Siblings: X and Y
Now we sit at table, strangers to ourselves.
Sandra Scofield
Staph
Mama finally got quiet, and then we couldn’t wake her.
Charlie Smith
The River
I have to find my brother, I said and he laughed.
