Author: themuseumofamericana

After my dad’s funeral, by Amirah Al Wassif ______________________ Amirah Al Wassif is an award-winning poet. She published For Those Who Don’t Know Chocolate (2019) and The Cocoa Boy and Other Stories (2020). Her poetry collection How to Bury a Curious Girl was released by Bedazzled Ink, and her upcoming book The Rules of Blind … Continue reading Americana Stories – Poetry

Form of Collection, by Catharine Batsios Before I pay cash onlyfor my royal blue driving gloves,some soldier named Harry’s Zippofrom 1943, and that glass ashtraylarge enough to be a gravy boat,I look at buttons in jars—lidless jars at Eastern Market, buttonslight in my hands, cupping fingers likepistachio shells, giving meone last chanceto take them home. … Continue reading Americana Stories – Poetry

We’re thrilled to invite you to a special virtual celebration and reading hosted by the museum of americana on Thursday, October 24 at 5:00 PM PST / 7:00 PM CST / 8:00 PM EST. This event will feature contributors from our upcoming Issue 34, sharing their poetry and prose. Tune in live on our Facebook … Continue reading Join Us for a Virtual Reading and Celebration!

Rising from Phoenix—Nonfiction by Tony Press In March of 1961 I was standing just over the fence from the Giants bullpen, down the third base line, in Phoenix’s old Municipal Stadium. Chuck Hiller, a hot prospect (.334 in Double A the year before), was doing sit-ups between the rubber and the plate. “Hey,” he said, … Continue reading Americana Stories – Prose

Juicy by Lizzy Ke Polishan To: 柯 You have made yourself smallon the secret cramped bus to Sunset Parkto bring me home a cheeseburgerfrom that place where the cheeseburgersare oh-so-juicy.Because here, in the Land of the Free,the land where you can affordwhat you want, what you wantto afford can’t always be found.I’m told KFC tastes better … Continue reading Americana Stories – Poetry

Testimony: James River Tourists, by Sam Barbee We prop on the rail among clamor: strolling lovers,hum of bike spokes, rambling families with toddlersin backpacks flapping arms. Steepleson guard along hills – footholds high above surfacecrests foaming behind hewed river-rock.  Richmond's horizon acclaims with buildings and towers.White silos stenciled "Dixie Sugar." Currents churn below where islands have … Continue reading Americana Stories – Poetry

FOR ALL THE SNAKESAND WHISKEY IN IRELAND,by Brand Rackley building an observation deck for migratory bird watching one summer, my friend and i sought shade ‘neath one of its completed sections. it was hot, the oklahoma kind, where the panhandle gets hotter than the pan. the heat waves were enough to pull us under. as … Continue reading Americana Stories – Poetry

“But memory has no memory…It moves as it wants to move.”—from “Transparencies” by Charles Wright          I remember dark purple hollyhocks,tall stalks of corn. Fried chicken in a basket.Watermelon juice sliding down our sleeves. Some Sundays we would drive down to the river.You remember mosquitoes and our father’s temper.I remember his smile. Perhaps it’s true that … Continue reading One Summer When We Were Young, by Judith Waller Carroll

The museum of americana is thrilled to announce that our August reading period is now open for submissions! We invite writers and artists to submit their best fiction, nonfiction, humor writing, poetry, and art. This August, we're also seeking baseball-themed submissions that capture the essence and spirit of America’s favorite pastime. Special Theme: Baseball (in … Continue reading Call for Submissions: August Reading Period Now Open!