By Shelly Norris Laying down a thick coat of rich waxy color on the large abstract Mandela, as with everything I begin from the outer border rather than the center. Beyond rustling leaves churning peripheral sunlight into geometry through the wavy antique glass whisper my father’s mantra: When will you learn to pay attention? … Continue reading Sri Yantra
Guest Relations
By Thomas Page Good morning, miss. How may I help you today? I apologize for the wait. Oh, A food worker named Taylor Said you couldn’t get your passholder cup? Yes, I’ll let his manager know But you pick up your passholder cup here. May I see your pass? So that I can scan … Continue reading Guest Relations
Poems by Alex Andy Phuong
Be Real Reality might be bleak Yet the ones who accept reality Are not meek For the strong Are the ones who truly endure And enjoy the gift of life itself Son Rise Born into a world Of night and day Parents help a young man Not go astray Some abandon … Continue reading Poems by Alex Andy Phuong
Poems by Ryan Quinn Flanagan
Dating the Pyramids I shower and shave and dress up for the evening. Style my hair with product before borrowing my parent’s car. Dating the Pyramids. One at a time, of course. I am a gentleman, you see. Have each of them home by curfew. Never wanting there to … Continue reading Poems by Ryan Quinn Flanagan
Honorable Mentions: Spring Contest
The Road Home By: Kelli J Gavin I have walked one too many roads A few stray paths have distracted me Not always sure where I was going Or why I was called away Home should be where the heart is But sometimes my heart would fail A faulty human with a messy soul At … Continue reading Honorable Mentions: Spring Contest
3rd Place Spring Contest: “Marvellous May” by Jennie Gardner
Is there anything more glorious than the month of May When, shaking off her slumber nature stands so tall Darkness receding, conquered by ever-lengthening day And the sun softly smiling, shines down upon us all Pretty borders full of colour and the sweet chortle of song Ragged robin, buttercups, daisies, forget-me-nots Skipping gently in … Continue reading 3rd Place Spring Contest: “Marvellous May” by Jennie Gardner
2nd Place Springtime Contest: “Rejuvenation” by Aiman Siddiqui
Growing out of love, my turbulent heart is at peace My spirit blossoms, my mind's now at ease On the verge of uncaging my sabotaged soul I know, bad times have begun to cease You'd been the wildest part of my favorite dream Delusional, daunting, untimely and extreme Blinding my mind from what lay ahead, … Continue reading 2nd Place Springtime Contest: “Rejuvenation” by Aiman Siddiqui
1st Place Springtime Contest: “A Flash of Blue” by Mike Turner
A flash of blue Just a hint In my peripheral vision As I gaze across my yard What have I seen If anything at all? Cobalt sky laced with white clouds? No, ‘twas more ephemeral Indigo cats-paw ripples Dappled with golden sunlight On the surface of the backyard pool? Nay, ‘twas more elusive There, again … Continue reading 1st Place Springtime Contest: “A Flash of Blue” by Mike Turner
Meaningless Crusade
By Wayne Russell The electricity that we felt between us, is now snuffed out. The flicker of a flame, now doused. No more euphoric rapture, only a whirlpool consuming emotions, everything pulling into a dark void. Life is one meaningless crusade, they will forget that we ever existed by morning. They will leave our … Continue reading Meaningless Crusade
Only They Are Mine–My Parents
By Sahaj Sabharwal When everyone is there, concerned with their own lives, Only they are here with me, Not concerned about themselves, But with my life only. When everyone is against me, Only they are with me, And as they believe me and know me well , Are enough against any number of people … Continue reading Only They Are Mine–My Parents
Academy of the Heart And Mind 