Read the winning piece of our 2025 Nonfiction Contest “Through the Mirror” by Jessie Cato selected by Lucy Ives.

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John Malcolm Brinnin

Verse More and Less Topical

Spring 1944

Gunnery Practice

By John Malcolm Brinnin

It is always there, rattling the teacups at four, Tilting the seagull on his favorite perch, Twitting his gaudy eye. But in the town, Well-used to it, bread is delivered […]

Verse More and Less Topical

Spring 1944

With a Posthumous Medal

By John Malcolm Brinnin

His hands were talented for intricate transactions; He might, but for the time, have planned a city Or written music all night in splendid rooms Or righted recalcitrant hollyhocks or […]