The Rumen
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Prose
A Girl in Trouble
“Barbie and Ken should moan a bit. I think adults make a lot of noise when they’re doing it,” Dee says to Jennifer, as they smoosh their Barbie and Ken dolls together.
By Angela James
The Anxieties of a First-Time Pallbearer
One week ago, the news arrived: Grandpa had passed away.
By Colton Toews
By the Wooden Banks of the Neufnach (April 29, 1626)
I, Johannes Flavius nee Jan Floet of Antwerp, briefly of Augsburg, woodcutter and printer, killer of ants on vestibule and plate, eater of fried trotters and the smaller fried bits that fall off them, claim this few blessed metres as my home.
By John K. Peck
The Day The Moon Disappeared
I don’t know if anyone truly believed the moon had disappeared. Your senses, famously, can get the better of you regarding such things. And invisibility is an exceptional disguise.
By Sam Saxton
Wedding March
The manatees have messed with his head. He said it was the manatees that messed him up. As a kid, he was terrified of swimming with the manatees.
Poetry
Bluebirds on the Bus and Gutter Guards
You take the bus // to an appointment // at the university but // it’s the wrong day.
By M F Drummy
Little Losses on the Way and Living with Children
I hand him the tooth that evacuated by itself // rootless molar nub, yellowish, half me, half porcelain
By Cecil Morris
Evergreen
We’d put branches on the tracks thinking they’d derail the train. // We’d spend evergreen mornings tilting mirrors of dew, & rail
By David Capps
About Us
The Rumen is a collaboration between writers, poets, and artists from a variety of demographics and backgrounds. Like the guts of an ungulate, we want The Rumen to be a space for ideas and experiences to digest, ferment, and transform.
We are especially interested in publishing contributors from historically underrepresented people groups.
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Support
Want to help The Rumen grow? Share us on social media, tell your friends, or buy us a coffee!
Articles
Goth Rock and Two Other Essays
When I listen to Liars’ 2012 album WIXIW especially the trancey musings of “Octagon,” its hyper electronic drums, plodding keyboard bass, Angus Andrew’s murmurings of “I thought, I’ll live, I always thought you” or whatever it is he’s saying, I feel that a hole has been ripped in time...
By John Talbird
Liminality
"This isn't a dry place but a dried place; this isn't a hot place but a heated place."
Quitting Chris
I’m alone in the kitchen when I double over. Moaning in protest, I grab the counter, though I know I’ll be dragged under.
By Gaye Brown
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Latin America 101
This course will take you through 14 Latin America countries on planes, buses, taxicabs, bicycles, rafts, tuk-tuks, mopeds, and your own two feet.
By Chris Girman
A Girl in Trouble
“Barbie and Ken should moan a bit. I think adults make a lot of noise when they’re doing it,” Dee says to Jennifer, as they smoosh their Barbie and Ken dolls together.
By Angela James
Bluebirds on the Bus and Gutter Guards
You take the bus // to an appointment // at the university but // it’s the wrong day.
By M F Drummy
Little Losses on the Way and Living with Children
I hand him the tooth that evacuated by itself // rootless molar nub, yellowish, half me, half porcelain
By Cecil Morris
The Anxieties of a First-Time Pallbearer
One week ago, the news arrived: Grandpa had passed away.
By Colton Toews
By the Wooden Banks of the Neufnach (April 29, 1626)
I, Johannes Flavius nee Jan Floet of Antwerp, briefly of Augsburg, woodcutter and printer, killer of ants on vestibule and plate, eater of fried trotters and the smaller fried bits that fall off them, claim this few blessed metres as my home.
By John K. Peck
Evergreen
We’d put branches on the tracks thinking they’d derail the train. // We’d spend evergreen mornings tilting mirrors of dew, & rail
By David Capps
The Day The Moon Disappeared
I don’t know if anyone truly believed the moon had disappeared. Your senses, famously, can get the better of you regarding such things. And invisibility is an exceptional disguise.
By Sam Saxton
About Us
The Rumen is a collaboration between writers, poets, and artists from a variety of demographics and backgrounds. Like the guts of an ungulate, we want The Rumen to be a space for ideas and experiences to digest, ferment, and transform.
We are especially interested in publishing contributors from historically underrepresented people groups.
Social Media
Support
Want to help The Rumen grow? Share us on social media, tell your friends, or buy us a coffee!