I grew up in England. In a place that knew winter only for a brief time. Snow was a holiday, a moment that never lingered. Wet snow that soaked through knitted mittens. Hastily rolled snowmen that had grass and mud still clinging to them. A furrow left behind that quickly melted. We thought that Spring … Continue reading Winter Competition Nonfiction Winner: “Winter” by Lily Ogden
Winter Competition Fiction Winner: “Philosophy of Snow” by Gary Hardy
It was 6 am. I sipped from a mug of hot coffee while I looked out our bay window. Night lingered in the air and held down the colors of dawn from blooming. Glowing streetlights made the dim snowflakes glisten as they turned in their slanted fall and windows of flurries were held in suspense … Continue reading Winter Competition Fiction Winner: “Philosophy of Snow” by Gary Hardy
Winter Competition Poetry Winner: “blizzard” by Jennifer Choi
a flock of bald eagles descends, swooping down from the northern sky, crashing onto asphalt roads, refracting streetlight beams. with sharp talons, they tear roofs apart, … Continue reading Winter Competition Poetry Winner: “blizzard” by Jennifer Choi
In autumn, there’s no traffic outside
By William Hardy I’d wake up at all hours of the night at this time of the year. Usually, my phone’s lock-screen would read one or two am, but I knew if it was any later, I could kiss goodbye to waking up early. I’d ever so slightly pull the curtains back and take a … Continue reading In autumn, there’s no traffic outside
Winners of the January Winter Contest
Here are the winners of our first 2025 Contest! The dates next to their names will be the day their work will be posted to our website. January 29: Poetry Winner: Jennifer Choi January 30: Fiction Winner: Gary Hardy January 31: Nonfiction Winner: Lily Ogden Thank you to everyone who entered into our contest!
The Paradox of Apologies
By Jonizza Giovanna Lupi I’m Sorry Finding yourself uttering "I'm sorry" as easily as breathing, you realize it has become a reflex, a default response in your interactions. It slips. The words roll off your tongue, involuntarily peppering your conversations. A verbal tic. But as you catch yourself apologizing for things beyond your control or … Continue reading The Paradox of Apologies
History of Burned Books
By Richard Smith Books are inherently human. They capture human struggle, present human ideas, and promote human expression. As there has been division on how to handle differing and problematic facets of humanity, division in handling different and problematic media also exists. People have turned to censorship to solve various issues, and in the case … Continue reading History of Burned Books
Christmas Telescope
By Fred Donovan Somewhere between Venus and Arcturus, my daughter and I squint to seethe comet that will not returnfor 80,000 years, give or take a millennium.But the supermoon drownsthe comet’s dim light,and clouds move in to ensurethe failed viewing. “We’ll see it whenit comes back,” I joke. She is not amused.“Maybe we can catch … Continue reading Christmas Telescope
Gatherers
By Paulette Calasibetta I combmoats ofcrumbling fortresses gathering sea glass,opaque – beryltreasures. I hear thevociferouslaughter of children exploring frothybarnacled jettiessearching briny treasuresfilling bucketsof show and tell. overhead ~screeching gullsin nomadic rhythm pluck outofferingsspawnedby the sea. Paulette Calasibetta writes to express what is seen and what is unseen. Inspired by nature, and the spirit of the human … Continue reading Gatherers
Puppy Love
By Sarah Rosenblatt My puppy is in love with each of the humansin the house.She’s also in love with the momentthat rises up, filled with its mitzvahs. It then departs like a friendwe don’t want to leave. And you see once you take love from an animal and give some back:you are making a lifelong … Continue reading Puppy Love
Academy of the Heart And Mind 