By Ruby Pressman We’re allowed to make mistakes, I thought to myself, as I looked in the mirror at Banana Republic that day. I gazed at my face. It looked tired and grave, and there was a line above my lip from worrying too much. I was going to meet Chris, a guy I had … Continue reading On the Threshold
Thoughtful Actions
By Donovan Westjohn Love plants a happy seed, within every affectionate hearty hug, also, a billion-years wise of a prominent Spruce tree. It is gentle kindness within all buzzing bees. Naturally, offering scented wildflowers a kind hand. Love is a peaceful smile, chirping in the vivacious blissful breeze. Upbeat, and forever rising early in our … Continue reading Thoughtful Actions
Conned
By James Dunn Second Lieutenant James Dawson made his way through the Happy Hour crowd at the Charleston Air Force Base Officer’s Club bar and ordered a glass of white wine. After he took a sip his friend and squadron mate, First Lieutenant John Tamkun came up from behind and nudged his arm. “Glad you … Continue reading Conned
French Tanka
By Thomas Page I have been practicing French with the Tanka poem format. While this isn't a great example of either French or a Tanka, I would like to share these poems as an example of the practice of writing and mastering a form or a language Ce matin il y A mon anniversaire Veut … Continue reading French Tanka
So Happy
By Ira Darmograi there are some places where you feel especially calm where you are no longer chasing something useless where your permanent desire to restrain yourself, to control yourself, to look for answers disappears where you finally notice that everything magical in this world feels your strength, your love, your unbelievably tender perception of … Continue reading So Happy
Teaching Yates in the Autumn and Other Poems
By Thomas Page Teaching Yates in the Autumn Like the bachelor swan I sit at my monitor to a sea of blank profiles That are five-and-twenty I go over the lyric of a man in his autumn who grew to hate his motherland- The sixtieth swan— Floating in his Charon’s raft across the Irish Sea— … Continue reading Teaching Yates in the Autumn and Other Poems
Out of Reach and Other Poems
By Douglas Young Out of Reach I saw a gorgeous sunset That reminded me of you – Too beautiful to forget And out of reach, too. You are the ethereal golden moon, Forever amber and always in June, A lovely voice on the radio singing a lovesick tune, Romantic as a rainbow, and gone just as soon. … Continue reading Out of Reach and Other Poems
On Hills of Thorns
By Kenneth G. Hodges Bryant You stand, as beautiful as night You stood, more perfect than the day You stand, as picturesque as heaven’s gate You stood, more captivating than the rising sun Where my heart still goes to weep Where my soul still comes to find joy Where my sight still wanders to glance … Continue reading On Hills of Thorns
The Crunchwrap Canto
By Joseph S. Pete New York City takes a regional, perhaps provincial pride in the bacon, egg and cheese on a roll at every cat-stalked bodega, the most banal breakfast sandwich imaginable in a glorified convenience store. McDonald’s serves it, Burger King has it, basically every fast food restaurant in American offers it. That’s why … Continue reading The Crunchwrap Canto
Aje Olokun and Other Poems
By Mayokun Kehinde Folorunsho Aje Olokun Aje Olokun My hands are cupped In the ocean of supplication As I forage In this classified world Where The rich keep having The poor keep lacking And all eyes know no sleep Aje Olokun My hands are cupped In the ocean of supplication Owolabi's soles have melted On … Continue reading Aje Olokun and Other Poems
Academy of the Heart And Mind 