By Joan Leotta Elena slid into the chair across the table from her friend Alda at Nettie’s Coffee Emporium. “Sorry I’m late. Overseas phone call. Did you order coffee for me?” Alda laughed. “ Of course. And a pistachio muffin too. You have the same thing every week.” She pushed one a plate over to … Continue reading What’s in a Name?
The Golden Beach
By Bernadette Kloth & Steve Warren A full moon was waning and the nursing staff at St. Mary’s Hospital were all on their toes. A young nurse’s white Nike sneakers squeaked as she made a u-turn into room 444 when she heard one of her patient’s moaning. The older lady had been admitted yesterday and … Continue reading The Golden Beach
The Woman in the Water
By J. F. Salocin A blue infinity. I float there, weightless, lunar strings connected at my back, the man in the moon is my puppeteer, pushing and pulling the waves, making me dance and sway without control. The only true power I have in this void is to stay afloat, tongue tasting the nectar we … Continue reading The Woman in the Water
Are We Not All Spirits?
By Mike Turner Are we not all spirits? The essence of our lives separate From this corporeal existence? Do we not each feel the tug Of a connection to a more ethereal reality? Something beyond, something infinite More lasting, more meaningful than this transitory “now”? When we close our eyes and still our hearts Do … Continue reading Are We Not All Spirits?
Perforation
By Mehreen Ahmed My time was up. The clock had stopped. My stilly pupils stared. Cold. My body fell like filbert. Stiff. It occurred at the stroke of twelve midnight when the hours froze. I rose to a height, and saw my inert body, once conscious and full of lights, had now been sucked out … Continue reading Perforation
Strontium
By Jim Bates Sandra Mason was a studious girl who took life seriously, much to the joy of her father, Wallace, a physics teacher at the University of Minnesota. “I’m so proud of Sandy,” he said, coming down the stairs after telling his seven-year-old daughter good night. “She’s just like I used to be at … Continue reading Strontium
I Took the Plant Out for a Walk
By Mehreen Ahmed At midnight, someone was knocking on my window pane. It was a sinewy twig, wavering in the blustery winds. Knocks persisted. The window had fogged up from the recent cold waves. I walked up and stood before it. A coal spattered night, there was the twig rubbing itself on the fog. This … Continue reading I Took the Plant Out for a Walk
Wounds Transcend
By Moola Veereswara Rao I know your wounds... but quit ye not the noble route. Remember how a silent reed became a flute. Don't kick them out, because they're all just lifeless stones. But how became a rock into a sculpture...moot. Ye don't concede to whetted darts of mean critique. Ye watch this road that … Continue reading Wounds Transcend
The Alter Ego
By Medha Godbole Singh She was standing at a crossing on the road, waiting to get to the other side. She was lightly tapping her feet, impatient. It was getting late for her on her first day at work as a Public Relations assistant. That was not her plan. The girl looked at her watch … Continue reading The Alter Ego
Almost Autumn and Other Photographs
By Kj Hannah Greenberg Almost AutumnSnailCould Be LunchRoosterCan Survive
Academy of the Heart And Mind 