The Under Review - Issue 4 | Summer 2021

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46 ELPHICKbeen in a real fight in a long time. In his mind, this is just a game, a movie: he is Errol Flynn, and I am whatever unnamed guard he has to slice off the screen. On the sidelines, the spectators cheerand caw, place bets, urge us on. There is a kind of violence beneath every sport, and my relatives love each otherviolently, would kill for one another, if they had to. Every Christmas, all the cousins play Spoons,wrestle on the rug over bits of metal. They shoothoops in the driveway, goals on the lawn, they fireair rifles off the back porch. They join the team, become athletes. They join the military, take aim at the enemy. My family does not see me astheir enemy, but still, I have never quite been on their team. Every conversation is a competition,and finally, after years of keeping out of their contests,I am speaking a language they understand. Finally,a game to gather around, a way to connect with me.Now, in this adrenaline-soaked passing of the seconds, I am alive to every bodily tremor, every opening in my uncle’s guard. I becomea scientist. I finger my instrument with care, know each corner of its physics, how to sink into gravity’s embrace, let momentum guide me.Every fight is an experiment, but my body has been beaten into knowing the principles.I know what wood brought down on thumb does. I’ve seen blades snap and skin bruise and I am tired of being seen by my family in one way, of owing them anything, even this pitiful duel.Go on, Owen, get him! I hear someone yell, and I lunge. And even when my tip sinks into my uncle’s side, I am not sure who has won.THE UNDER REVIEW
47RussellBARRY PETERSWatch a pine sway in gusts for an hour,or even minutes: the subtle design,nonchalant stretch and yawn,belie its desire, a burst of shamrockhigh in azure sky: sublime theaterreminiscent of NBA legend Bill Russelldefending a baseline, or his principles:strong; obstinate; dignified; single-minded:drawing a line that he dared anyone to cross:and if the FBI still opens files on such livesas matters of national security, may this leafbe slid inside and the others excised, papercrimes to be crumpled and swatted away,airballs adrift in the spineless breeze.ISSUE 4 | SUMMER 2021
Page 1: ISSUE 4SUMMER 2021
Page 4 and 5: TABLE OF CONTENTSPOETRYA Fable Abou
Page 6 and 7: 6LETTER FROM THE EDITORSMuscle Memo
Page 8 and 9: 8 SHAPIROdad’s jaundice complexio
Page 10 and 11: 10adjust to new requirements. More
Page 12 and 13: 12Learning to DunkCHRIS ABBATEI gua
Page 14 and 15: 14Take OneERIN HILLA spindly-legged
Page 16 and 17: 16even if it didn’t square with t
Page 18 and 19: 18Church SoftballRYAN HARPERThose n
Page 20 and 21: 20Eye of the StormBRETT BIEBELThis
Page 22 and 23: 22A Real HumdingerKEITH BUZZARD “
Page 24 and 25: 24“Not sure how good an idea that
Page 26 and 27: 26 BUZZARD“Well, Paul, I don’t
Page 28 and 29: 28DavidANDREW GENTMichelangelo’s
Page 30 and 31: 30Bring on the boos, Ryan thought a
Page 32 and 33: 32“Christ, next time we gotta mak
Page 34 and 35: 34“Actually, it’s more like one
Page 36 and 37: 36 ERWINThe umpire started back for
Page 38 and 39: 38My serve. I was pretty good at it
Page 40 and 41: 40I remembered this incident just b
Page 42 and 43: 42At Logan Avenue, I turned left, h
Page 44 and 45: 44 BELDENMy mother glanced over and
Page 48 and 49: 48Interview with Maya WashingtonTER
Page 50 and 51: 50TH: You mention in the beginning
Page 52 and 53: 52performance poet, who is performi
Page 54 and 55: 54known stories in college football
Page 56 and 57: 56Racing DadKIMBERLY J. BROWNI tell
Page 58 and 59: 58 TAYLORDetroit Tigers World Serie
Page 60 and 61: 60When I was planning my trip, I br
Page 62 and 63: 62The RunnerMORROW DOWDLESleep’s
Page 64 and 65: 64Bonus DaysAMY ZARANEKIn basketbal
Page 66 and 67: 66Book ReviewJALEN EUTSEYBe Holding
Page 68 and 69: 68looking down at us,watching,as Do
Page 70 and 71: 70 CONTRIBUTOR NOTESCONTRIBUTOR NOT
Page 72 and 73: 72 CONTRIBUTOR NOTESALEX WELLS SHAP

The Under Review - Issue 4 | Summer 2021

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