Lira Konys

Apr 17, 2024 | shorturl.at | Lira Konys |Marina Gudelj |Ruth Kemp |Kelly Zhang

I called it “Shakharbanu’s Curse.” It accompanied me all through my childhood, and when I came of age, it bore witness to my agony of trying to fit in with those around me. A good title determines the fate of a story, and while I would never get tired of scribbling things down, I faltered like a hobbled horse over the title of this tale. I found myself gazing with pity at my story and throwing on it, like a halter, a random phrase that sprang to mind.

Apr 9, 2024 | shorturl.at | Marina Gudelj |Lira Konys |Tobias Carroll |Alexander Aguayo

“What’s there to say? Mom’s crying all day, Dad refuses to speak to her. He says she’s buried her alive, that he won’t talk to her anymore if she keeps crying. And Mom just keeps calling Antonija, and when the phone stops ringing she bursts into tears again.”Ana was holding the phone between her left shoulder and ear while loading the dishwasher with her right hand.  “Ehh, well, no, no one expected it! She mention it? Yeah, she mentioned it, but who would’ve imagined this?