Truly, we live in interesting times. The tensions of war, the poor economic status of most people on our planet, and the violent opposition of religious beliefs have provoked anxiety around the globe. It is comforting to know that literature is always available as an outlet of expression.

Literature is constant. People will always be drawn to the written word, their thoughts displayed poetically. Literature allows us to learn from each other and perhaps more importantly, from ourselves. It enables us to communicate on a higher level. Is it possible that we are more alike than we think we are? Do we share similar fears, hopes and desires? Perhaps in literature we are one world rather than many nations.

We are honored to present to you the fourth edition of the Bryant Literary Review. We would like to extend our appreciation to those who contributed to this issue as well as to all those whose work could not be published at this time. Our sincere gratitude goes to The Pawtucket Times, The Woonsocket Call, Bryant College Academic Affairs Division, Institutional Advancement Division, the Department of English and Humanities, and the Faculty Development Center. Without their generous contributions this issue would not have been possible. Please settle in to enjoy these fine poems and stories. If nothing else, they'll give you a lift, a reason to hope in interesting times.

Thank you,
Melanie Ferrara
Student Editor

EDITOR: Tom Chandler FICTION EDITOR: Mary Prescott MANAGING EDITOR: Ron Pitt ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Janet Proulx STUDENT EDITOR: Melanie Ferrara STUDENT EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Daniel Dabrowski DESIGN & LAYOUT: Rebecca Chandler   Please note that we are sold out of this issue.

EDITOR'S NOTE

FICTION
Granny’s Tumor, T.M. Bemis
An Innocent Heart, Catherine Harris
Still Life, Brian Arundel
Getting Married in Vegas, Natalia Cortes Chaffin
Rope Dancers, Jessica Newton
Arabia, Jeffrey David Peckham
Chosin Reservoir, Robert Wallace

POETRY
The Present, Fred Muratori
What Isn’t Anchored, Mark Brazaitis
The @’s of your %’s, Ken Fifer
Mother’s Skeleton, Audrey Doire
When Quoddy Head Falls Into the Sea, Karl Foss
Another Life, Kenneth Pobo
Our Americano, Denise Duhamel
The Tooth Fairy, Charles Harper Webb
Daylight Savings, Charles Harper Webb
When the Music Stops, Tony Leuzzi
What Happens To Kurt Cobain, William Snyder Jr.
Prefer Slick, Feverish Grooves Over Funky Backbeats?, Ace Boggess
Kindergarten, Lisa Zimmerman
Solitaire, Priscilla Atkins
Comparison/Contrast, Rustin Larson
The Interpretation of Dreams, William Greenway
Second Showing, Todd Balazic
Feral, Antler
Sacrament, Todd Possehl
The Coffee Table Book, Mark DeFoe
Explanation, Peter Johnson
Northwest Island, Andrew Paul Sullivan
Look Now, Charlotte Mandel
Short Attention Span Scripture, Tommy Graves
Bad Poet's Epitaph, Candice Rowe

CONTRIBUTORS