With a wire scoop ladle, Magdalena fished golden-brown four-pointed stars out of the simmering oil. This time it didn’t matter that the crab rangoons were Pinterest-imperfect. After setting the bowl…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Rooster
The Lion Wears Sneakers
Caleb clutches his mother’s leg. With the clash, crash, and boom of brass gong, cymbals, and drum, the white lion dances closer. Its head whips out at the circling crowd….
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Monkey
Where for Watch Waipahu New Year’s Eve, 2010
“Why’re we stopping?” “This the best place.” Skeptical, Esme opened the door, careful of the guardrail. There, she stood in the narrow space between. They had parked just before the…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Monkey
Vote Early and Vote Often
In March 2000, Dad, Sis, and I moved into our new home. One spring day, Dad walked in, carrying our three voter registration cards; he had an impulsive idea. On…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Horse
The Nymph and the Sage, A Retelling
Triggers: #2: he never takes his eyes off the; #5: some dreams are just that, dreams; #4: that would have been it for my career; #6. you start thinking about… stuff. Gloss: Apsara: celestial maiden. Devidasi: temple dancer. Sadir: ancient (and lost) dance. Word Count: 258.
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Snake
The Evocation of Thirteen Moons
Blurb: BR issue #73, Spring 1998, New Moon prompt: 4. What do you know about love? Word Count: 253
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Snake
The New Gravekeeper Is Made Welcome
Year of the Snake Contest entry. August. 931 words. Trigger: #3: Denial of Death; #6: A Personal Name. Gloss: Aysus Mariosep: ‘Jesus, Mary, Joseph.’ An expression in which one takes the holy family’s names in vain. Kuya: ‘older brother.’ Honorific.
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Snake
True Tales of Ms. Derring Do: Episode #27: Return to Blue Hawaii
Year of the Snake Contest entry. 500 words. Triggers: #2, 8. Gloss: ina: mother; anak ko: my child; wen: yes; ama: father.
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Snake
Misses and Mythconceptions
Year of the Snake Contest entry. Triggers: #2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, & 11. 248 words.
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Dragon
Thirty Years Chasing the Lightning
Still no Lightning under glass. Year of the Dragon Contest piece. Trigger #6: Allowance. Word count: 200.