The Natural Order by Barbara Jacksha After her divorce, Anna fled to a cottage by the sea. Every day she wandered the shoreline, collecting shells and smooth-washed bones. She studied the wind-whipped language of the grasses, the sketches drawn by insects in the sand. She cataloged the birds that joined her: pelican, egret, sandlapper, tern. When men happened by, she cataloged them as well: pretender, braggart, renegade, rogue. They flitted through the seasons, migrating, seeking a transitory perch. At first she offered them conversation, set out fresh water and food, but in time, she realized that all things must learn to thrive on their own. Anna withdrew to the cottage, fluffed her pillows, and pampered herself with books and fine English teas. For the first time, she closed her shutters, and in the muffled surf, heard the sound of nature charting its next course. All content in SmokeLong Quarterly copyright 2003-2008 by its authors.
	Barbara Jacksha is a freelance writer living outside Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her work has appeared in such publications as Peregrine, Rag Mag, Poetry Midwest, The Rockford Review, Carve Magazine, E2K, and Mindprints. Her work has also received several honors, including a nomination for the Pushcart Prize. Read the interview.
	Issue Two (December 15, 2003): The Natural Order by Barbara Jacksha «» View From A Flying Jimmy by Tammy Turner «» ISO by Bret Fetzer «» Magic Yeast by Louisa Howerow «» Must Sign for Delivery by Jade Walker «» Memoirs of a Jump Rope Queen by Margaret A. Frey «» Nolo Contendere by Sean Oakley «» Campfire Conversation by Lennart Lundh «» Snap Shot by Peggy Duffy «» Fear by Rose McDonagh «» Because of Penguins by Jane Sales «» With Love, Moon by Eugenia E. Gratto «» Private Services by Diana Forrester «» Red Flecks by Louise Jackson «» Pictures—The Beach Outside of Nice by Nance Knauer «» Love and Death in Legoland by Kay Sexton «» Sunset in Santa Monica by Didi Wood «» Fragile by Eric Wrisley «» Interviews: Barbara Jacksha «» Tammy Turner «» Bret Fetzer «» Louisa Howerow «» Jade Walker «» Margaret A. Frey «» Sean Oakley «» Lennart Lundh «» Peggy Duffy «» Rose McDonagh «» Jane Sales «» Eugenia E. Gratto «» Diana Forrester «» Louise Jackson «» Nance Knauer «» Kay Sexton «» Didi Wood «» Eric Wrisleya «» Cover Art "Platinum" by Malina «» Letter From the Editor