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      • Poetry 8: Danielle Bryl-Dam
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      • Contributors: Issue 10
      • Experimental Writing 10: Akshi Chadha
      • Experimental Writing 10: Adelphi Eden
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      • Experimental Writing 10: Isabella Kennedy
      • Experimental Writing 10: Christopher Paul
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      • Fiction 10: Meaghan Furlano
      • Fiction 10: Carly Pews
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      • Creative Noniction 10: Courtney WZ
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  • Issue 11.1
    • Contributors: Issue 11.1
    • Fiction 11.1: Tega Aror
    • Fiction 11.1: Chloe Bachert
    • Fiction 11.1: Kelly Ge
    • Fiction 11.1: Asia Porcu
    • Fiction 11.1: Taryn Rollins
    • Fiction 11.1: Pauline Shen
    • Poetry 11.1: Jennifer Adamou
    • Poetry 11.1: Katherine Barbour
    • Poetry 11.1: Akshi Chadha
    • Poetry 11.1: Emma Graham
    • Poetry 11.1: Li-elle Rapaport
  • Issue 11.2
    • Contributors: Issue 11.2
    • Fiction 11.2: Victoria Domazet
    • Fiction 11.2: Mackenzie Emberley
    • Fiction 11.2: Rachel Oseida
    • Fiction 11.2: Cindy Xie
    • Creative Nonfiction 11.2: Alex Rozenberg
    • Creative Nonfiction 11.2: Alanna Zorgdrager
    • Poetry 11.2: Cassy Player
    • Poetry 11.2: Madeleine Schaafsma
    • Experimental 11.2: Mackenzie Emberley
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Aldershot Station

“You know, you shouldn’t smoke on the platform” I say
as I toss a smouldering white-tipped filter towards the tracks.
She smiles, as if we have always known one another,
revealing where the pink flesh of her lips meet the charcoal lipstick.
Her elaborately ringed fingers
gently remove one of the cigarettes from the pack I extend towards her-
gently enough not to appear desperate.
“Thank you” she mutters
while tucking a long chunk of faded turquoise hair behind her ear
and reaching into the breast pocket of her black leather jacket.
Suddenly, she appears motionless,
glancing above my head towards the afternoon sun.
Her green eye-shadow shimmers in the light.
Her pale blue eyes widen.
Frantically, she begins to pat herself down;
her rings clink against the several zippers on her jacket –
most of which seem decorative and pocket-less.
She tugs on her black fishnet stockings,
ruffles her loose green skirt,
yet still gazes at the sky above my head.
I hand her my lighter,
which, once again, evokes a smile.
This time, her black lips don’t separate.
She shelters her face from the breeze with the lapel of her jacket
and a quick flick of the flint lights her cigarette.

One long exhale of smoke lingers behind
as she bids farewell and returns to her luggage.



Eric Zadrozny has just finished his second year at Western University with a Specialization in English Literature and a Minor in Creative Writing.  He loves a good verse, chamomile tea, strong black coffee, mythical creatures, and trains.

Western University
Department of English and Writing Studies
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