By Becky Walker Hair It must be a breakdown that must be it when a woman cuts off her hair. Her sense of togetherness tied to her tresses it can be shorn away like Samson’s strength. And if she keeps it so then is she not forever held in that moment of ‘broken’? No. This … Continue reading Hair and Other Poems
Still in My Eyes and Winter Gifts
By Elbina Batala Rafizadeh Still in My Eyes Where are the hummingbirds? And the finch, sparrow, and bunting birds? Ever present during the storms, waiting in the pineapple guava bushes as if waiting for a pause in the downpour before flitting to the birdfeeder. Where are they now? My companions during my breakfast of tea … Continue reading Still in My Eyes and Winter Gifts
On Seeing An Old, Old Friend as One Plague Ebbs and Another Progresses
By Nolo Segundo He came to the restaurant with his 36 year old daughter who I said looked radiant in her first-time pregnancy. We were eating outside that rare summer day that smelled more of heaven than earth and my wife and I had got there first... so I had prepared myself for meeting my … Continue reading On Seeing An Old, Old Friend as One Plague Ebbs and Another Progresses
Voodoo
By Cheryl J. Brown The heat of the night gives birth to manifestation; Candle work is slick with sweat and determination. Anointed oil is prepared for the moon. Herbs have been gathered, separated, and will be used soon. Hooded figures dance in anticipation. As intentions are read from their book of Revelation. By the blood … Continue reading Voodoo
Bloodroot and Other Poems
By Samantha Terrell Bloodroot Thoughts and feelings scrape Against each other – a barren Tree limb on a transparent Window pane. A roll of birch tree bark blows Around in the wind, showing Us time is short. Our own Raw skin will soon be exposed. When numbness sets in We ask ourselves Who taught us … Continue reading Bloodroot and Other Poems
The Shadchan
By William Hogg It was a day at the end of summer but for Wilmington, North Carolina, a gift. Almost noon and the temperature was not yet seventy. Alan was sitting on a concrete bench, breathing slowly, relaxed, and at peace. He glanced over at his nine-year-old grandson, Tommy, who was sitting at the other … Continue reading The Shadchan
The Outsider and Other Poems
By Mukut Borpujari The Outsider Memories are breathing down inside me now, everything slowing to the pace of a snail. Tiptoeing across the yard, the old cat watching— the pace too slow even for him. A crack in the earth opens, and roots rise up to trip me. Thirst lives in me, and the fear … Continue reading The Outsider and Other Poems
Poets and Other Poems
By Jasna Gugić Translated by Anita Vidakovic Ninkovic Poets Where are you, Poets, You, Wizards? Let us paint with our poem This sorrowful world And people with masks, For behind the mask Even eyes are lackluster And we no longer breathe. Let us raise voice And scrape the mud from our soles. Let us raise … Continue reading Poets and Other Poems
Alone and Other Poems
By Gary William Ramsey Alone Love, Entered my life with abandon, recklessly causing unwanted emotions, reviving the lost hope of happiness. Reason, Escaped the test of thought, and was buried by loves intensity, but continued to struggle to stay alive. Reality, Randomly dismissed and forgotten, having no part of love, joined reason in its isolation. … Continue reading Alone and Other Poems
Father’s Silence and Mama’s Lemonade
By Georgia May Father takes me out on the fishing boat every year, for one weekend in June. I don’t know why father does this. He doesn’t speak to me the entire time. Or any other time. He is usually away. Far, far away, on business, and comes home ghost-like, scurrying off to the study … Continue reading Father’s Silence and Mama’s Lemonade
Academy of the Heart And Mind 