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

Stolen Tomatoes

Trusted watering can in hand I approach my greenhouse. If I don't water the tomatoes every day, they droop and wilt. Despite my regular nurture, I don't seem to be getting many crops. Gardening is so frustrating. Through the steamed glass windows, I catch my old dad and young son eating handfuls of fruit straight off the vines. "Don't tell your dad,” my father whispers, and they chuckle together in their shared conspiracy. I back away unseen and leave them to their illicit feasting. Much as I would like to join two of my favourite people, this is their moment.

Joel Bryant is a UK-based healthcare worker and occasional scribbler of flash fiction and short stories.

Tiny Dancers