By Ryan Quinn Flanagan The Rain Was Laughing Sideways …and the stranger came to town and no one knew him and he went to every house dropping a single breadcrumb on each doorstep and then the stranger left and never returned and everyone rejoiced because they had bread.
A Treelike Shape
By Marianne Brems The elderly Blue Oak near my front door stands intact with bark that hugs her girth photosynthesis coursing through her veins molding the air around her into a temple for her soul. Were she to crumble and collapse in a moment, atmosphere in the shape of a Blue Oak would … Continue reading A Treelike Shape
Christmas Contest: Honorable Mentions
As usual with our contests we wanted to give a shoutout to one poem and one story that we thought really stood out among the submissions that we received. Good job to "The Hymn Of The Bethlehem Star" by Luisa Kay Reyes and "Small Town Christmas Wearing Headphones" by Kelli J Gavin. The Hymn Of … Continue reading Christmas Contest: Honorable Mentions
Christmas Contest: 3rd Place Poetry
"Adrift in a Christmas Snow Globe" By Ken Allen Dronsfield As I gaze through the glass of the snow globe. My mind drifts away and I find myself there skating. Through the snow flakes, and the bonfire’s glow mugs of cocoa with tiny marshmallows waiting. The vision of my girlfriend, wearing her red coat with … Continue reading Christmas Contest: 3rd Place Poetry
Christmas Contest: 3rd Place Fiction
"Christmas Presence" By Andrew Paul Grell “It’s time, Nick. Are you up for it?” Josh assessed the old man’s visage. It wasn’t like the old days. Larger territory. Vast increase in audience. Security. Changes in entrance and exit protocols. Not that any of that mattered; it was Nick or nobody. “It’s been a while since … Continue reading Christmas Contest: 3rd Place Fiction
Christmas Contest: Poetry 2nd Place
In our hearts By: Linda Crate all the children with eyes shining like ornaments eagerly anticipating a man in a red suit to grant their christmas wishes, and all the reindeer landing on the roof and the cookies and milk left out for santa; every song i used to listen to a … Continue reading Christmas Contest: Poetry 2nd Place
Christmas Contest: Fiction 2nd Place
"Christmas Yet to Come" By Len Saculla Peter 181 BM pressed his button nose hard against the polyglass window and gazed excitedly at the winter sky above the capital city. His maternal grandfather, Aaron 797 BM, gently squeezed the boy’s shoulder, grinned like he was still six years old, and asked, ‘Can you see Santa … Continue reading Christmas Contest: Fiction 2nd Place
Christmas Contest: Poetry 1st Place
"The Ghosts of Christmas Past" By Micah Singleton The Ghosts Of Christmas Past As a cold wind blows, the hour comes fast, to a time when Christmas, will be part of the past. With no tree of lights, and no gifts to bear, a man sits alone, as a chill fills the air. His fire … Continue reading Christmas Contest: Poetry 1st Place
Christmas Contest: Fiction 1st Place
A Christmas Gamble By Matt McGee Christmas is giving. It’s surprises. The unexpected. Maybe, some years, there can be just a little bit of magic thrown in. Some people need to be alone to feel that. Chris loves to lie in her room, lights off or at least dimmed down to little more than a … Continue reading Christmas Contest: Fiction 1st Place
A Hole In The Sheet
By Wanda Morrow Clevenger after our first was born Mom came out one day for the whole day made stew did some laundry found and mended a hole in the bedsheet took note of every little thing asked embarrassing questions mothers ask daughters at these times I hemorrhaged after the birth was … Continue reading A Hole In The Sheet
Academy of the Heart And Mind 