Publication: takahe

  • The Clown by Stephen Woods

    The twists in this story were surprising in the moment, but on a closer read the clues were there all along. I’ve been thinking about this one for days: When she opened the front door Jake stood there with his clown behind him. The clown wore a big full-cheeked smile, with the slightest bit of…

  • In the Queue for Ice Cream by Stephenjohn Holgate

    This is fiction, but reads like a memoir piece. Holgate was born in Jamaica and lives in London, and this story shines a light on the subtleties around how race and social interactions intersect. I wait in the queue, for ice cream, and listen for any grumbling about the sun’s warmth. There is nothing as…

  • Tight Knit by Rachel Offord

    Tight Knit is a brilliant triple-entendre title for this story of a mother and daughter’s relationship. It’s full of subtle metaphor that reveals itself on a reread (and you’re sure to reread it). The jersey was so tightly knitted that it could stand up on its own. It had a crew neck and five thick…