![Myth Making](http://www.tbr-olderissues.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/mythmaking-470x140.jpg)
I would have sat you down and explained, poured
you a mug of coffee and placed it on
that aqua-painted table we bought at
the thrift store that winter in Alaska
![Untitled](http://www.tbr-olderissues.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/rape-470x140.jpg)
Bare every women and rip her on the streets,
And spare not even your mother, own
The pound for murder lingers no more,
![Les femmes d'Haïti](http://www.tbr-olderissues.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/haiti-470x140.jpg)
Woman carrying basket of pineapple
Atop her head, hair like an Arabesque carpet
Woven with a million coarse black threads
![A Fight With a Cannon by Victor Hugo](http://www.tbr-olderissues.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/readingroom-470x140.jpg)
Every month, The Reading Room showcases a short story, or excerpts of a book, from some of the greatest writers the world has ever seen.
![The Inner World of U. R. Ananthamurthy](http://www.tbr-olderissues.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/URA-470x140.jpg)
Arvind Radhakrishnan & Sudeep Reguna interviews noted writer and Jnanpith winner, Prof. U. R. Ananthamurthy
![Moinare mon tu bordoisila hoi ~ Kiddie jingles fall from grace](http://www.tbr-olderissues.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/khagen_mahanta-470x140.jpg)
Rini Barman pays tribute to Khagen Mahanta, the Assamese folk singer who recently passed away
![In Bloom](http://www.tbr-olderissues.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/azalea-470x140.jpg)
The azaleas died every winter, and every spring Asha would extract the brittle bushes and plant a new set in the same bed. Her husband,…
![The Bookseller](http://www.tbr-olderissues.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/bookseller-470x140.jpg)
I suppose that it seems rather extraordinary that I have spent my entire life surrounded by stories but have never before been tempted to pen…
![A Long Haul](http://www.tbr-olderissues.com/wp-content/themes/oxygen/images/archive-thumbnail-placeholder.gif)
They pulled Leona away from Ted’s open casket and accused her in loud angry whispers of laughing during her husband’s viewing. Leona’s cardigan was bunched…
![The Fruits of Halabja](http://www.tbr-olderissues.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/halabja-470x140.jpg)
children who had eaten breakfast
with their mothers took their
supper with their ancestors.
![August, 42nd](http://www.tbr-olderissues.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/august42nd-470x140.jpg)
There is no relief, no getting over this heat,
so I settle down and stare into the sky
![The Addict](http://www.tbr-olderissues.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/addict-470x140.jpg)
I took you out to dinner to celebrate
Your upcoming Rehab stay.
I took you out to dinner to comfort
You when you missed the train.