By Gregory Smith I discovered Eva just before the holidays. The all- Christmas radio station in Philadelphia played her song “It’s Not the Presents Under the Tree (It’s Your Presence Here with Me)”, and I took immediate notice. Something about her soulful, pure voice got to me, much like the first time I heard the … Continue reading Finding Eva
Coated in Layers of Metal and Paint
By Siha Park Carved into my body are intricate shapesEdges coated in liquid goldBeauty caused by a single bladeTwo faces, one hidden against the wallThere will always be an angle you choose to hide fromIn another lifetime, another life will see meWhat they see, a face they wear dailyCoated in layers of metal and paintDisguised … Continue reading Coated in Layers of Metal and Paint
Stung
By Anne McPherson Arthurs On a hot Saturday in mid-September, Roger stood near the only shade tree in the backyard, loosely gripping a beer while meat sizzled on the grill. The sky above was a deep, restless blue, cut with shards of thin grey clouds that lingered but offered no relief from the heat. A … Continue reading Stung
Cassandra’s Portrait
By Jordan Miller CW: Self-Harm Deborah’s heart felt a warm pang of pride watching her daughter enter their new house. The house was beautiful, with a red brick roof, white panel walls, and a blonde awning delicately dangling over the gray wooden porch. The walls had large white windows with green outer trims. An array … Continue reading Cassandra’s Portrait
Give Love
By Heidi Larsen Give love with meMake it slow and strong.Hold my face in your handsPassionately long.Carry me, touch meEmbrace me in your heat.Cuddle me, spoil me,Sweep me off my feet.Cushion my back.I deserve more than floor.Think of me firstAnd hold my door.When you think of love,Think of me.Brag your love to all You see.Secretly … Continue reading Give Love
The Sound of Silence
By Mounashree No sound I’ve heardcomes closeto the sound of silence—All the voices, internal or external,vanishes away.As it feels like guidance.The only soundthat instantly calms my racing mindThis stillness provides nothing but kindnessWhen I sit in an open field,under a tree,and drown myselfin the beauty of being,I notice the leavesgossiping about me—probably laughingat how silly … Continue reading The Sound of Silence
The Groundhog
By Keith W. Norris One week old fallen snowLooks like a layer of StyrofoamCrunches with each stepLike a bed of DoritosAnd the groundhog saw his shadow.Newly formed potholeBig enough to be a submarine hatchFilled with muddy waterSplashed on me by a BuickAnd the groundhog saw his shadow.Black ice-covered sidewalkSprinkled with rock saltThat doesn’t work below … Continue reading The Groundhog
Beach storm
By James Aitchison I watch — captive —as the storm rolls inacross the bay,and the sea suckslight from the sky.The world ends atthe lashing rain,nothing exists beyond the punctured waves,the sand heaves beneathevery lightning strike,and old palms surrendertheir branches. And after the rage — the calm, deep and majestic,and the world holdsits breath. James Aitchison … Continue reading Beach storm
They’ve Fired All the Meteorologists
By Ken Damerow Another storm north of Hope,others past Denver &Kawkawlin, pushing into the lake,boiling fresh water. At the lip of the demon’s anvil,balanced on the upper tower,we scan radar alertsno longer matching the rising pressures.The bear cage, dangerously building, pushes us, franticfor solace, towardsthe pod-cast people,certain in themselves. Ken Damerow is a poet based … Continue reading They’ve Fired All the Meteorologists
Home
By Umera Riyaz In the fields, I held my hands.The echoes of your voice;plays reels of the past.Numbness shrinks my hunger,kissing the wounds of yesterday.My knees ache;my cracked heels are swollenfrom the weight of my thoughts.Barefoot, I walk like a lost sovereign.To the mainland I must return,But my feet remain still on concrete.A burnt bridge … Continue reading Home
Academy of the Heart And Mind 