By Debra White In mid-October 2001, a sprawling shopping complex including a two-level mall known as Chandler Fashion Square, opened in the East Valley area of Phoenix to rave reviews. Critics said malls were fading away and questioned whether the new mall would succeed. I shrugged off the doom and gloom. Someone always nitpicked, didn’t … Continue reading Me and the Chandler Mall
The Rains
By Ruscena Wiederholt Kate woke to a strange sensation. Light, streaming through the blinds, cast intricate patterns on her bedspread. Something had disturbed her slumber, but she wasn't sure what, a car honking? She stirred, and lodged underneath her sternum there it was, the feeling that something had changed, profoundly and inextricably. But what? Her cat, … Continue reading The Rains
Pan’s Dilemma and Other Artworks
By Gregory Johnson Pan's Dilemmalook to the living one as long as you liveceremonialanother day in paradisean innocent bystander Gregory Johnson has been an artist and poet for over forty years. For Gregory, poetry and art is a much- needed therapy, a way to get out of this mind trap. He attended Cooper School of … Continue reading Pan’s Dilemma and Other Artworks
Not Just Yet and Other Poems
By Tom Squitieri Not Just Yet At morning the snow eludes The joy of rebirth the wakeup of beauty promised instead the cold darts Of water pellets Hit the deck Warfare on our anticipation Beauty chased away Cocoon endangered Cold rain does not Hug tree branches with beauty Permit fast dashes for snow angels Nor … Continue reading Not Just Yet and Other Poems
Always Will Be the Scream and Other Poems
By Gregory Johnson Always Will Be the Scream Down deep In the dark wet places He is mired in muck And he screams. Holy sufferer Or a ghost on a spree Gives his voice To the tortures therein. I told him sincere That he didn’t have to scream He stopped, puzzled… Then what? He seemed … Continue reading Always Will Be the Scream and Other Poems
Hanging By A Thread
By Rolf Erickson When the car stopped spun backwards on the shoulder of highway 34 it was so dark and so quiet I thought I was dead. So I said, "Hello?" my eyes still closed. And she said, "I'm here." That's when I knew it wasn't over yet. For two weeks I walked through space … Continue reading Hanging By A Thread
Catskill Oasis Bookends
By Susan Anmuth Every autumn except last covid year my Yorkie leads me around the Saugerties garlic festival. Neither of us knows how to read signs that say No Dogs. This year we go a day late -- because now it’s getting personal. Nothing could keep me from the October 2 march for abortion rights. … Continue reading Catskill Oasis Bookends
The World Has A Habit Of Saying No and Georgia Olivia Duke
By April McDermott The World Has A Habit Of Saying No The world has a habit of saying no. Saying no to my dreams. Saying no to all my great plans and schemes. When I told this to my Papa, He simply smiled and said, "Maybe the world is actually saying yes instead. "You see, … Continue reading The World Has A Habit Of Saying No and Georgia Olivia Duke
Just Hold On
By Dorah Achieng When all hope is gone, When your world is crushing, When you are falling, When your world is falling apart, When you can’t stand up, When you can’t take it anymore, Please hold on a little, Don’t give up just yet, Crawl, if need be, But don’t stay down, Master the broken … Continue reading Just Hold On
A Butterfly Kiss and Other Poems
By Ramzi Albert Rihani A Butterfly Kiss A butterfly kiss fills the air With hiss larger than thunder A moon rushing to end the night Tumbles and cracks open the morning light A sound soars to the cathedral ceiling And lights the eyes that are still sleeping A drift of shiver, a case of joy … Continue reading A Butterfly Kiss and Other Poems
Academy of the Heart And Mind 