English and Creative Writing Archive

Impressions on Hair by Emily Tian Animals shed. Garter snakes moult upwards of forty times in a lifespan, their past selves gone white and crepey like pantyhose. Cats leave their hair carelessly where you’d least expect: hidden corridors, bedroom...

Eat Bitter (Sweet) by Kate Li In Chinese, there’s a phrase for undergoing hardship: “Chīkǔ,” or, literally, “eat bitter.” Surprisingly enough, the connotations of “chīkǔ” aren’t negative. When you overcome a great ordeal, for example, people say you know...