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, newsletter editor kate meen, and founding reader bobbi lerman, plus our rotating team of guest readers, who you can meet in the latest newsletteR. 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

Monday

Monday morning called for coffee. The aroma of ground arabica beans brewing in the kitchen reached my bedroom. The alarm was snoozed, but the coffee beckoned. With tired eyes, I reached for a mug and watched as the hot, dark liquid filled my cup. I smoothed its bitter taste with cream and admired the swirl of color as I stirred. I inhaled the rich scent and lifted the mug to my lips. With every sip I felt the day brighten a little more. When I reached the bottom of the porcelain mug, I was ready for the week to begin. 

 E.M.Panos loves books and travel. She lives on Boston’s North Shore with her wife. 

Christy's Skylight Gardens

Fight or Flight