My lap desk snuggles my thighs. Outside my patio door, winter snuggles the deck. I’m ready to be warmed, humoured, surprised, or taken. One-hundred words after one-hundred words. Fifty-seven lay before me, fifty-seven desirous writers who have laid bare five minutes of their life marrow. My task? Score them, between one and five. Will I lean toward no with a two? Will I say wow with a five? The laptop lights the words of my creative brothers and sisters. As I read, my heart wills them to keep expressing, submitting, and sharing their humanity, but my two out of five says otherwise. Damn, I’m cold.
Andrea Montgomery's “Zairian Road” was published by Five Minutes. She was also a January 2026 Five Minutes reader. She writes from Burlington, Ontario, and has a CNF project underway. Facebook @andrea.montgomery.167 Instagram: @amonty_32