Author: themuseumofamericana

Notes on MLK History Lesson for Immigrant Students, by Prudence Soobrattie “Can anyone tell me who Martin Luther King Jr. was?” “A president!” Samira shouts. At least she is paying attention. Gizelle, who sits next to her, is scrolling on her cell phone. “No,” I reply. “Any other guesses?” “Wasn’t that the man who helping … Continue reading Americana Stories – Humor

The museum of americana proudly announces the recent release of Joyce Goldenstern’s novel, In Their Ruin, published by Black Heron Press. Please visit Black Heron Press for more information about this remarkable work and to purchase your copy. As a valued contributor to the museum, Goldenstern’s literary contributions have enriched our publication over the years. … Continue reading Writer Joyce Goldenstern Unveils New Book

Even If, by Ali Asadollahi All the timewe denied it and                    we forgotinstead of a treewe used to put our aiming eyes on a rifle-to hide and seek- Some days, I forgetI’ve choked on blood and each timeI should cough up a piece of my burnt … Continue reading Americana Stories – Poetry

Filipino Girl, Coney Island, New York, c. 1905, by Isabel Cristina Legarda Say she wasn’t perched on a wooden bench in Dreamland.Say she was enjoying the amusement parkinstead of being kept in its human zoo.Say there weren’t men in suits gawking at her.Say they weren’t pelting her with peanutsand it hadn’t gotten to the pointwhere … Continue reading Americana Stories – Poetry

At the Breakfast Table—Fiction by Francine Witte I’m staring down Dooley again. I’m thinking where you goin’ today, Muthafuck? He is covered in missing Loretta, his blue eyes clouded with a coat of longing they get when he hasn’t seen her for awhile. You want eggs? I ask him, and when he says, yeah, scrambled, … Continue reading Americana Stories – Prose

Starting Fires in the Midwest, by Derek Mong Bank the former owner’s timberthen spread a grate of storm-wracked  branches. Now tent the kindling and tip a match into the news you can barely bare to read. Let the beaded heat bob and broaden over the rally’s ballcapped faces.Poke the fire with old campaign fliers. When the hearth-brick … Continue reading Americana Stories – Poetry

Exit Interview, by Alessandra Davy-Falconi My home has been receipt paperWasted into wallets, unread No one remembers a chairAnd I’ve been stapledHard, pressed to paintMy face pretty, every dayI said no. ___________ Alessandra Davy-Falconi is a phoenix who studied history while working in corporate America.  She keeps trying.  Her work has previously appeared in The Atlantic, … Continue reading Americana Stories – Poetry

Permanent Waves, by Kendall Walker The first time my grandmother ever wore her hair short, it was the day JFK got popped. (I’m much too young, you see, to have my own “The Day JFK Got Popped” story, so I have to tell you my grandmother’s). Twenty-eight years old on that November 22, she went … Continue reading Americana Stories – Prose

Bronson, 1985, by Jessica L. Walsh A dozen crows face north,their heads like black compass needles. Beyond them, green-black clouds spill closer.Rain spits thick, winds move towards roar, and still the crows don’t move. My grandmother pulls me from the porch,rushes us to the spider-filled cellar I hate. We wait it out. Later the yard … Continue reading Americana Stories – Poetry

Two Poems, by Terry Bohnhorst Blackhawk The Gift Pepperell Elementary School, Lindale, Georgia 1955 Here, Terry, you can carry the flowers— privilege bestowed, to walk out the class- room door to the sink at the end of the hall, dump fetid water, try not to gag, wipe slime from inside the vase, toss the rotting … Continue reading Americana Stories – Poetry