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; May READERS Darcy alsop, PRERNA BAROOAH, AMITA BASU, Sarina Caragan, Antony Püttschneider, and Elisa Rivera; and May Editorial intern sienna lew. 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

3 A.M. Ocean Tea

Mugs slide around cabinets with the ship’s roll, yaw, pitch. Two I fill with hot water, ever ready, and compostable tea bags, hibiscus and chamomile. One flower brewed for me, one flower brewed for a friend on deck. A dollop of honey in each, stirred quickly, then the balancing act begins—I’m still acquiring my sea legs. I grip the steaming cups in my already-callousing hands and wobble up the companionway. I deliver the drink to the helm, where he’s steering the hundred-thirty-foot tall ship. Ceramic clinks before sips under stars. Warm sweetness juxtaposed with cold salty sea spray on tongues.

Cassidy Bull is a writer from Florida. She hopes you enjoy this snapshot from her greatest adventure thus far. Find Cassidy on Twitter and Instagram @cassidyybull.

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