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
A Voice Found in Silence
By Rabhya Patil “Open your mouth and allow the words to walk through the red carpet of your tongue, nothing to block.”I can’t. If I express through bunches of letters that must be neat, they will twist into threaded knots that cannot be undone by my thoughts, so bittersweet. I’m afraid the ghost eyes will … Continue reading A Voice Found in Silence
Hate To See Me Coming
By Kelli J Gavin The woods hate to see me coming at this pointThey welcome me yet know what I am up toI spend far too long roaming known pathsDiscovering new mushroomsListening to birds call me by nameEach and every timeSomething new will catch my eyeA flower in full bloomThe rabbit hopping away quicklyAnd a … Continue reading Hate To See Me Coming
in which poetry is a form of exorcism
By Haeun Kim tick tick tick. the shaman’s mouth steams,lip naked and hot like a teapot handle. sherescues the soul of the drowned, disguisedas byeolsang, spirits of another world. under-water, she swallows the saliva clawing upher throat to join the saltwater. tick tick tick.never let it out. she releases the unjustlydead, souls pouring like liquid. … Continue reading in which poetry is a form of exorcism
Snowbound Express
By Carla Capizzi It was the beginning of twilight on a cold December afternoon. Snow fell thickly on the station tracks, silently covering the rooftops of Trieste. The sky, leaden and shadowed, was veiled by heavy clouds. Not a single star or moon was visible. Far away, the whistle of a conductor was heard, running … Continue reading Snowbound Express
Engraved Invitations
By Fred Klein It was late at night, and the fog was dense and cold. The countess’ carriage driver, Rene, was confused as to which was the right trail to take to get back to the castle. Countess Alexandra Radu had gone to the King’s palace to celebrate the new year 1700. Now returning home, … Continue reading Engraved Invitations
You Are One of Us
By Melissa Owens Intercepted by an intergalactic traveler and shared with the author, Mahan Kirn, who translated it into English in 2020. I don’t have a name, it hasn’t been necessary. I am One of Us. Mother says I’m more rambunctious than many young Ones, and noisier. That’s because I can’t tolerate separation. I’m overcome … Continue reading You Are One of Us
Library Collections
By Benedicte Grima When I walk into a house, the first thing my eyes tune into is the presence or absence of books. I am immediately unsettled by the invisible volumes, and the space seems stark, lifeless. When I watch speakers on television talk from their homes and offices, I scour the bookshelves behind them, … Continue reading Library Collections
To Manchester and Back
By Norma Hart Conflict is a word often associated with stories, and I am informed that there should always be conflict in a well told story. In Evelyn’s story there aren’t villains, or monsters, or wars. This story then, may not be for you - unless only a quiet inner discord - which our protagonist … Continue reading To Manchester and Back
The Red Oak
By Matias Travieso-Diaz An oak tree is an oak tree. That is all it has to do. If an oak tree is less than an oak tree, then we are all in trouble. Nhat Hanh A majestic red oak (Quercus rubra) stood alone atop a hillock. It was almost a hundred feet tall and had … Continue reading The Red Oak
Academy of the Heart And Mind 