By Ruth Ticktin Most days before she went off to school, Dara was home alone with Matu, her grandmother. Matu was busy cooking for her husband and grandchildren, doing laundry, cleaning, mending clothes and sheets. Matu took Dara shopping with her, they walked to the market daily, and she made sure Dara was bathed, fed … Continue reading Ya Dara, Fly Tadorna
God Give Me Forever and Other Poems
By Alise Versella God Give Me Forever The cold break of day The burst of chlorine—ice-sting against just-shaved legs I have never been one to jump into things I wonder if I will always let every option weigh heavily against me that I simply throw every option away Drown beneath the deep. An ocean is … Continue reading God Give Me Forever and Other Poems
Sold-out Dreams and Other Poems
By Richard LeDue Sold-out Dreams Past tense, meaning they're already gone, just barren shelves, pretending to feed desires we believe more in than any god, translated into every language, but we need to understand the translator has to eat too. And when there's nothing left inside the cardboard boxes, we'll still reach in, asking where … Continue reading Sold-out Dreams and Other Poems
The Eden Project
By Stephen Kingsnorth As a tourist board inspector, the closing hour approaching fast, pottering in the garden centre, I saw another in the crowd - God wandering amongst the shades. At gate closure, the lock-up time, I saw her in the coffee shop, chatting with the sweat-cooking staff, those table-waiting, poorly paid, dependant on … Continue reading The Eden Project
Patriotic and Other Photographs
By Pat St. Pierre
My Three Pandemics
By Janet Yoder 1. The Asian Flu, H2N2 When I was five, I learned the words Asian Flu. On July 19, 1957, my mother gave birth to her fourth child, my youngest sister. While she was still in the hospital, my mother was visited by a woman who, along with her husband, were trying to … Continue reading My Three Pandemics
Time for Change and Other Poems
By Andrew Scott Time For Change In the midst of fear and chaos there can be a new light of hope. Though there is a fast disease that has taken over all of us in this land of violent confusion. People marching the streets. Peacefully protesting hate and the injustice that is brought to … Continue reading Time for Change and Other Poems
Toads on Lily Pads
By Mehreen Ahmed There used to be a green pond once next to our house. This house had a red-tiled roof and a great many picture windows. It was situated on a hill known as the Dev Pahar in Chittagong. Through those picture windows, I could see the pond down by the valley. The pond … Continue reading Toads on Lily Pads
Skating His Vision and Other Poems
By Douglas J. Lanzo Skating His Vision Dedicated to my figure-skating son, Alex He skates onto the ice, his eyes bright with life, waving to us, beaming, radiating joy. He skates backwards in a tightening circle, accelerating, refreshing air ruffling his outfit, accentuating his speed. He stops theatrically, his blades tossing delicate sprays of ice. … Continue reading Skating His Vision and Other Poems
Eventide
By Mike Turner The sun’s warm crimson rays Signal the end of day Cool dusk is gaining way At eventide Eventide Lay down your woes and cares And with a loved one share The calm and stilling air At eventide Eventide No longer need we toil To make our loose ends meet The simple needs … Continue reading Eventide
Academy of the Heart And Mind 