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“You Are as Necessary as Times New Roman” by Alicia Hoffman

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · 9d

“You Are as Necessary as Times New Roman” by Alicia Hoffman

"Necessary as the scissors and the knife that sit abandoned in the sarcophagus of a suburban garage until the day a bolt comes loose, a screw unhinges, a flap malfunctions."

Necessary as the scissors and the knife that sit abandoned in the sarcophagus of a suburban garage until the day a bolt comes loose, a screw unhinges, a flap malfunctions.

“Silly Goose” by Jennifer Maritza McCauley

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · 9d

“Silly Goose” by Jennifer Maritza McCauley

She is sitting, waiting for her partner to return / bringing Missouri flora in his mouth; coneflower, / daisies, aster.

She is sitting, waiting for her partner to return / bringing Missouri flora in his mouth; coneflower, / daisies, aster.

From the Editors: Building Space for Contradictions & Juxtapositions

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Sep 1

From the Editors: Building Space for Contradictions & Juxtapositions

But, perhaps, I was subconsciously looking to celebrate, criticize and memorialize what I saw as a space for contradictions.

But, perhaps, I was subconsciously looking to celebrate, criticize and memorialize what I saw as a space for contradictions.

Chesterfield Mall opened its doors in 1976, and at its zenith, was considered the largest shopping mall in the St. Louis metropolitan area. In 2024 and 2025, the mall was closed and then demolished…

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Sep 1

“The Fall of Chesterfield Mall” by Adam Jon Miller

“Dead Mall, Christmas Eve, 2022” by Robert Fillman

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Sep 1

“Dead Mall, Christmas Eve, 2022” by Robert Fillman

bodies bound to endless loops / past shuttered shops and naked / window displays.

bodies bound to endless loops / past shuttered shops and naked / window displays.

“mall stops” by Jeffrey H. MacLachlan

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Sep 1

“mall stops” by Jeffrey H. MacLachlan

synthetic sea breeze oh the aquamarine coins mating winks track lighting chlorine siren imagined pocketing prison city wishes of caribbean sand

synthetic sea breeze oh the aquamarine coins mating winks track lighting chlorine siren imagined pocketing prison city wishes of caribbean sand

“42°29’43.4″N 73°12’22.7″W” by Cleo Levin

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Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Sep 1

"42°29'43.4"N 73°12'22.7"W" by Cleo Levin

"The morning of my grand opening, the sun rose early and poured in through my skylights, through the doors, through the three glass pyramids that hung over my atriums. It shone on my polished tile floors and danced through the halls."

The morning of my grand opening, the sun rose early and poured in through my skylights, through the doors, through the three glass pyramids that hung over my atriums. It shone on my polished tile f…

“Mill Creek Drive” by J.T. Trigonis

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Sep 1

“Mill Creek Drive” by J.T. Trigonis

Soon, we'd // be at the mall, that holiest of pre-adolescent holies, / shops assailing our senses, every minute feeling / Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Soon, we'd // be at the mall, that holiest of pre-adolescent holies, / shops assailing our senses, every minute feeling / Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Special Feature: The Mall

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Sep 1

Special Feature: The Mall

🏬 The Mall is the Pine Hills Review special feature of 2025.

🏬 The Mall is the Pine Hills Review special feature of 2025.

“The Five-Year Anniversary of the Tornado That Took Down Turtle Creek” by Sarah Watkins

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Sep 1

“The Five-Year Anniversary of the Tornado That Took Down Turtle Creek” by Sarah Watkins

It was the first time that this city had been featured on national news, but no one wanted to speak. The damage spoke for itself. It was as if the building were run through a mandoline slicer—caved-in ceilings,…

It was the first time that this city had been featured on national news, but no one wanted to speak. The damage spoke for itself. It was as if the building were run through a mandoline slicer—caved-in ceilings, exposed pipe, and criss-crossing metal frames that held up nothing.

“A gigantic cathedral of consumption”: An Interview with Kate Black

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Sep 1

“A gigantic cathedral of consumption”: An Interview with Kate Black

"I describe the mall as an ‘altar of becoming’—a place of total possibility. I felt, and honestly still feel, exhilarated by how buying something new has the potential to transform myself. (Whether this potential ever actually…

"I describe the mall as an ‘altar of becoming’—a place of total possibility. I felt, and honestly still feel, exhilarated by how buying something new has the potential to transform myself. (Whether this potential ever actually realizes itself is another question.)"

“Mating Ritual” by Steph Auteri

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Sep 1

“Mating Ritual” by Steph Auteri

Sometimes, if the stars aligned, we’d see them again. By the Sunglasses Hut kiosk. On line at Wetzel's Pretzels or Cinnabon. Sitting at the fountain, flicking pennies into the water.

Sometimes, if the stars aligned, we’d see them again. By the Sunglasses Hut kiosk. On line at Wetzel's Pretzels or Cinnabon. Sitting at the fountain, flicking pennies into the water.

“155,000M2 of Shopping, Entertainment and Leisure” by Samuel Prince

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Sep 1

“155,000M2 of Shopping, Entertainment and Leisure” by Samuel Prince

All that swank and show, the imitation / of riches, gone, not even the fountain can spare a few cents / in its dried-up basin, its limescaled font – all wishes spent.

All that swank and show, the imitation / of riches, gone, not even the fountain can spare a few cents / in its dried-up basin, its limescaled font – all wishes spent.

“Extended Call” by Larissa Hikel

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Sep 1

“Extended Call” by Larissa Hikel

Where is the fashion parade, the conveyor belt of available products and prospects, that makes life seem so full of possibilities?

Where is the fashion parade, the conveyor belt of available products and prospects, that makes life seem so full of possibilities?

“Mallrat Baptism” by Veronica Tucker

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Sep 1

“Mallrat Baptism” by Veronica Tucker

It had a soundtrack, piped-in pop songs echoing off linoleum, and it had structure. Escalators, maps, food court trays. There were rules we didn’t always follow, but that gave the place a strange kind of order.

It had a soundtrack, piped-in pop songs echoing off linoleum, and it had structure. Escalators, maps, food court trays. There were rules we didn’t always follow, but that gave the place a strange kind of order.

an escalator in a mall with a sign that says ' b ' on it

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Aug 31

The Mall (special feature) will open tomorrow at 10 AM EST!

We invite you to experience all the wonderful work that was shared with us. There will be burst of posts coming from each of our social media feeds at that time.

ALSO: Our regular reading period also begins tomorrow. Send us your stuff!

ALT: an escalator in a mall with a sign that says ' b ' on it

media.tenor.com

“No More Bears” by Timothy Gager

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Aug 27

“No More Bears” by Timothy Gager

“Dumb, reckless, and stupid,” Mama Bear’s false words repeated in her head once more.

“Dumb, reckless, and stupid,” Mama Bear’s false words repeated in her head once more.

“The Thin Line” by Todd Campbell

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Aug 20

“The Thin Line” by Todd Campbell

Then a sudden beeping, insistent but not loud. / Is it me? plead your now wide-open eyes. Is it me,

Then a sudden beeping, insistent but not loud. / Is it me? plead your now wide-open eyes. Is it me,

“A Late Afternoon Lying on My Back” by John K. Kruschke

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Aug 13

“A Late Afternoon Lying on My Back” by John K. Kruschke

The forced air hissing through the vent / is not the sea breeze kiss caressing skin.

The forced air hissing through the vent / is not the sea breeze kiss caressing skin.

“On College” by Merridawn Duckler

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Aug 6

“On College” by Merridawn Duckler

Walk across the new fields unsteady as a colt or baby giraffe taking unique steps. You’re a triumph of engineering.

Walk across the new fields unsteady as a colt or baby giraffe taking unique steps. You’re a triumph of engineering.

“Bloodless” by Kevin Fisher

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Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Jul 30

“Bloodless” by Kevin Fisher

In an opera, I’d have an aria. But on the screen, stage or page it’s all yelling, ugly crying and an archeology of grievance. What if I don’t feel that? I know I can’t go back to sleep.

In an opera, I’d have an aria. But on the screen, stage or page it’s all yelling, ugly crying and an archeology of grievance. What if I don’t feel that? I know I can’t go back to sleep.

“The Local News” by Kevin Pilkington

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Jul 9

“The Local News” by Kevin Pilkington

I turned it off and stared into / my cup of coffee the way I like / it black as midnight without / sugar, moon or stars.

I turned it off and stared into / my cup of coffee the way I like / it black as midnight without / sugar, moon or stars.

“The idea of an American Dream feels warped to me”: An Interview with Janet Dale and Allison Renner

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Jul 2

“The idea of an American Dream feels warped to me”: An Interview with Janet Dale and Allison Renner

Jay Gatsby thinks he has achieved it all by reinventing himself and becoming rich, but he is lonely, still yearning for the past, and after he is murdered, no one wants to attend his funeral.

Jay Gatsby thinks he has achieved it all by reinventing himself and becoming rich, but he is lonely, still yearning for the past, and after he is murdered, no one wants to attend his funeral.

“In Memoriam Little Me” by Sara Eddy

Pine Hills Review @pinehillsreview.bsky.social · Jun 25

“In Memoriam Little Me” by Sara Eddy

My usually / inattentive friends would say goodbye, apologize. / I would inform my mother who to exclude.

My usually / inattentive friends would say goodbye, apologize. / I would inform my mother who to exclude.