home - submissions - contact

Fall/Winter 2009-10

Poetry

tom oristaglio
scott summers
cindy childress
tom rechtin
james b. nicola
debra rymer
doug draime
corey mesler
rebecca schumejda
chris crittenden
arlene ang
joey nicoletti
brad johnson
lorie allred
elizabeth kay
alexander russo
nissa lee
kenneth gurney
jessi lee gaylord
keith brighouse

Flash

ajay vishwanathan
ethel rohan
william "cully" bryant

Featured Artists
julie steiner

Steiner Interview
by Alex Nodopaka

Editors

Jennifer VanBuren
Jai Britton
Alex Nodopaka
Patrick Carrington

Mannequin Envy in memory of poet and artist Douglas Gamrath

Ryan Smith

In A Field of Love-Me-Nots

I performed the surgery myself,
Because I thought last night of
The perfect gift.

My heart came out easily enough–
That’s what happens with
Few attachments.

I took it down the street,
To someone with experience in
This kind of thing.

He carved it for you after I
Explained you weren't the kind of
Girl for roses.

Damp pink petals, perfect for you
To peel, the way children do–
Let’s call them Love-Me-Nots.

Go ahead, separate the soft
Layers.
I can already tell you how
It ends.

Bio: Ryan Smith is currently pursuing a BA in English (Creative Writing) at Indiana University South Bend, where he has been published in the university art journal, Analecta. He has plans to pursue an MFA after graduation.

Mannequin Envy no longer accepting submissions of poetry, art or flash fiction.

One final issue will be published in the spring. This will be an editor and reader's choice issue. Peruse the archives and send us your favorites!