DESCENT
by Thaïs Miller
Artwork by María Cristina Alvarez
[audio:http://www.hootreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/HOOT_Recording2.mp3|titles=Descent Thais Miller]

An ancient monkey king told us that he had gone to heaven and erased our names from the Book of Life so time would pass but we would remain immortal, untouched by wrinkles. We believed him wholeheartedly.

ADDICTION #20
by Matt Nelson
Artwork by Kelly Meissner
[audio:http://www.hootreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Addiction-20.mp3|titles=Addiction #20]

I used to sneak
right into the nook
between knees and chest,
right next to her breasts,
her breath on my head,
the beat of her blood in my hands
and the rest
of us
tangled in some new game we’d invent.

I only left to blow smoke at the moon
in the cold.

IN THE MORNING BEFORE THE SUN GETS HOT
by Matt Nelson
[audio:http://www.hootreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/In-the-Morning-Before-the-Sun-Gets-Hot.mp3|titles=In the Morning Before the Sun Gets Hot]

from across the street,
I watch a man throw pebbles
at pigeons,
…………and that is the world, as I understand it–
roost and roust.

 
BABY BABY BABY
by Bird Marathe
[audio:http://www.hootreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Baby-Baby-Baby.mp3|titles=Baby Baby Baby]

You’re a cashier at the Korean grocery.  You see someone who looks good from behind.  You are in lust.  This is your belusted.  Your belusted turns to face you.  You are in love.  This is your beloved now.

“Are these good?  Red Delicious?”
“They’re delicious,” you say.
“How about Fuji?”
“Are you new to apples?”
“I had an allergy my whole life but I got a shot so I can eat them now.”
“Try Granny Smith.”
“Old fashioned it is.”

There’s a CD of Korean pop music playing.  You don’t understand any of it except the chorus
where they sing Baby Baby Baby.

POEM
by Kacee Belcher
Artwork by the author
[audio:http://www.hootreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Kacee-Belcher-Poem.mp3|titles=Kacee Belcher – Poem]

Even barstools
want to be famous.

FAULT LINE
by Kacee Belcher
[audio:http://www.hootreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Kacee-Belcher-Fault-Line.mp3|titles=Kacee Belcher – Fault Line]

You already know where this is going.