By Michael J. D'Alfonsi The first time I played Brooke Davidon she was twelve and had just discovered how to weaponize her voice. “Checkmate,” she declared, the moment her hand left the bishop. Her tone was almost apologetic, like she genuinely pitied my stupidity. It was six in the evening and the windowless multi-purpose room. … Continue reading A Game of Chess
A Parable as Sung to a Quasi-Existent God
By Earl Smith I sit on my twig – listening - watching. Below they sit beside the running stream, these two greatest of all men - musing, watching a wave waiting ever patiently for the rock that has blocked its way to finish its sedentary undertaking. “That wave, it moves yet not at all, how … Continue reading A Parable as Sung to a Quasi-Existent God
Evening Market
By J.S. O’Keefe dread pulsates through the evening market under dying neon lights strange men armor shimmering prowl throughtheir eyes are hidden behind mirrored visorstheir movements seem smooth almost clinical I want to study their facesare they chiseled cold sullen do they have their own hopes secrets sorrows suddenly I can see one of them … Continue reading Evening Market
Once Upon a Rhyme
By Tim Law Once upon a rhymeA robin built a nestIt flew around the worldUntil it realized home is bestOnce upon a rhymeA rocket launched at noonIt swam through a sea of starsBefore landing on the moonOnce upon a rhymeI met a happy clownHe made up a songI sang alongMy frown turned upside downOnce upon … Continue reading Once Upon a Rhyme
Eerie Echoes
By Brenda Mox Into the flare of twilightwhere color is a field of possibilities,she disappears into the circle of breathing clouds to find refugein another realm where magic happens.Beyond a circle of the familiar,her path meanders according to whim.Each direction a world of uncertain futuresunwound through time and space.High on possibilities rife with paradox, her … Continue reading Eerie Echoes
Static
By Ben Macnair The asphalt rippled under the oppressive heat, a black ribbon stretching into a horizon that shimmered with false promises. Arthur traced the lines on his topographical map, his thumb smudged with dried coffee. This forgotten stretch of highway, nicknamed 'The Devil's Backbone' by some ancient guidebook, was supposed to lead him to … Continue reading Static
Summer Horizon
By Daniel de Culla Isabel's Photo In view of this Isabel G. de Diego’s beautiful image , one feels awestruck by that horizon of light that seeks to overcome the approaching darkness. There are stormy clouds in the cottony souls of the sky that shine like the loves and heartbreaks foretold by horoscopes in celebrity … Continue reading Summer Horizon
The Hero Is The Problem
By Mary Murray Bartolomé The stories I read as a child were filled with heroes, but now I’m not so sure. They were tales, ancient and folkloric, of a singular strong man (yes, man) who bravely challenged his antagonisers; a man fearless beyond reason, who either alone or with paltry aid, became victorious; a man … Continue reading The Hero Is The Problem
Monte Rosa
By S.T.O.L.M. “Humankind is just a minuscule dot up here. We don’t belong here, yet we keep coming, driven by longing for adventure or curiosity. I am no exception. Young and foolish, they said when I was sixteen. Now I'm eighteen. I wouldn't have any sense of loss if I had to turn back now. … Continue reading Monte Rosa
Of Dreams and Dust
By Oindrila Ghosal “The Trader of Dreams” “Once upon a time, there was a little girl who traded dreams for sleep.” “How little?” Neerja interjected Mohan’s narration. He clicked his tongue. “As little as we are. Save your questions for later. Let me finish my story first. So, where was I? Yes, there was a … Continue reading Of Dreams and Dust
Academy of the Heart And Mind 