Gordon is the winner of Vol 2-14. He lives in New York, but was born and raised in the North Carolina. As a result, his tastes are equal parts urban noir and Southern Gothic, bagels and barbecue. He currently resides in Manhattan with his wife and their dog – the two of whom form an unbreakable voting block that squelched the exercise of free debate within the apartment. This has led to chicken every night for dinner.
Gordon’s poetry and short fiction have appeared in various places around the internet and small print, as well as a no-budget “zombie” movie that may or may not ever be screened. He is also an Assistant Editor at Kraken Press and, among other duties, handles a mighty share of the slush.
The Our Lady of Thorns “Lil Sprigs” Dancers
Hours later, the hurdy gurdy still grinds away and the girls still twist like dogwood branches in the spring breeze, trembling with the cold and exertion. The swollen red and white balloons are the only things holding some of them up.
A susurration of whispers stirs through the crowd.
“Will there be no volunteers?” Sister Agatha raps her birch cane against the stage. “None willing to donate? Not even an iron coin or a piece of beef?”
One by one, the balloons pop and the pale girls collapse to the ground like kindling.
“For God’s sake, stop it!” A man finally cries out and pushes forward, rolling up his shirt sleeves. “Just take it already.”
Sister Agatha plunges her needle into the crook of his elbow. The thick redness sluices up the surgical tube. She smiles and looks down at the lone girl still dancing, trembling like a daisy.
“This one is for you, Rosy. The greatest dancer of all.”
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