The Black Girl Survives in This One: "Harvesters" by L.L. McKinney

by Desiree S. Evans, Saraciea J. Fennell
Here are links to our lists in the anthology: Harvesters, Welcome Back To The Cosmos, Ghost Light, The Brides Of Devil’s Bayou, TMI, Black Pride, The Screamers, Queeniums For Greenium!, Inheritance, Black Girl Nature Group, Cemetery Dance Party, The Skittering Thing, The Black Strings, Local Color, Foxhunt
15 words 203 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. lieu
    the post or function properly occupied or served by another
    In lieu of answering, I just turn the screen toward her.
  2. cliche
    a trite or obvious remark
    “Got a lot on my mind. I know that’s cliché, but it’s funny how true it can be.”
  3. incredulous
    not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
    The incredulous squeak that escapes me is genuine, but he’s still smiling, and I can’t help but smile back.
  4. yield
    give in, as to influence or pressure
    “Good god, woman, I yield.”
  5. cantankerous
    stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate
    I tell him she fine, cantankerous as all hell.
  6. gauge
    judge tentatively or form an estimate of
    I glance up at Brandon to gauge his reaction, but he’s frowning and looking off to the side.
  7. croon
    sing softly
    “I appreciate a man with his own ghost corn,” she croons.
  8. inevitably
    in such a manner as could not be otherwise
    Man, I wish I’d recorded that for when she inevitably tries to claim it never happened.
  9. jostle
    come into rough contact with while moving
    Her sudden movement jostles Mason.
  10. skulk
    lie in wait or behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
    Several yards off, something moves, a shadow skulking low over the ground.
  11. scrutinize
    examine carefully for accuracy
    Brandon hesitates, scrutinizing the area I’d been staring at a moment before.
  12. materialize
    come into being; become reality
    I’m nearly about to slam into the wall of corn when something rustles, and my best friend seems to materialize from the stalks and shadows.
  13. cumbersome
    difficult to handle or use, especially because of size or weight
    It swallows me, the sleeves long and a little cumbersome.
  14. drawl
    speak in a slow and drawn out way
    “We shouldn’t leave you out here alone,” Missy drawls.
  15. heave
    rise and move up and down, as in waves
    I lie on my back, staring up at them, my chest heaving, my body buzzing.
Created on Tue Sep 09 06:55:47 EDT 2025 (updated Fri Sep 12 11:26:00 EDT 2025)

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