Five Minutes explores five minutes of a life in one hundred words. Five minutes is edited by Susanna Baird, with editorial support from managing editor Maria s. picone and founding reader bobbi lerman; March READERS isabelle B.L, Sara Bednark, Amanda Callais, Ian Li, Nia Mahmud, April Mccloud, Nina Miller, and Clorissa Phillips; and March Editorial intern Kate meen. Five Minutes was founded in October 2020, with the Salem (Mass)-based writing group Carrot Cake Writers supplying the journal’s first pieces. We’d love to read your five. Submit here

A Hug from Mom

I wear her clothes daily, sometimes just one article, sometimes an entire ensemble. I wear them and pretend she’s giving me a hug, all day. A hug from my mom. I wrap myself in the bountiful, vibrant assortment of textiles that are now mine. Her hiking socks keep me cozy on my walks. A few of her pants have become regulars. My favorites: all of her colorful tops I wear the most. I always asked her “When you die, can I have your clothes?” I wear her clothes, now my clothes, and pretend she’s hugging me. A hug from Mom.

Glynne Alfred lives in Salem, Massachusetts, with “the rest of the witches,” as her mother liked to joke. Insta: @vter4life Glynne’s mother Carol was an active member of the Five Minutes community.

First-Born Son

Mourning Dove