Tag: checks and balances

Our February challenge invited writers to explore the dynamics of power, systems, and change. We opened the challenge with the following quote by Lord Acton: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Across poetry and prose, these winning pieces explore how we cope with the headlines, the cyclical nature of unchecked power, and the nature of accountability. Congratulations to these writers, and read their published work at the end of March!

First place

“Louis Kahn’s Ghost: National Assembly Building, Dhaka, Bangladesh” by Nafisa A. Iqbal

Second place

“New Nukes and Old Ghosts” by Helena Fagan

Third place

“Elián González” by Julia Alter

These winning pieces will publish at the end of March. Can’t wait? Check out the winners from previous challenges here.

We had so many incredible pieces submitted for our Checks and Balances challenge. This shortlist celebrates those that made our readers stop in their tracks, and we want to shout out these writers for their work. We’ll announce our finalists next week and publish their work at the end of March. Stay tuned!

Fiction:

“Birding” by Seán Flynn

“Before Leaving Home, Remember” by Shea West

Poetry:

“Hate” by Dominic W. Holt

“body count” by Hero Jason Uchebenu

“Laundered and Sorted Out” by Linda Perlman Fields

Nonfiction:

“Queen Bee” by Heidi Grogan