academyoftheheartandmind Announcements, Fiction, Miscellaneous

12 Days of the Holidays: “Closing Up, Wrapping Down” by Scott Tierney

Superstore, closing time, 'tis the night of Christmas, all that–  And already my colleagues and I are taking down the decorations. Lead has been stripped from church roofs with more decency.  Yep... Nothing gets one revelling in the Yuletide spirit like an army of disgruntled shelf-stackers laying waste to the season's culmination before it has … Continue reading 12 Days of the Holidays: “Closing Up, Wrapping Down” by Scott Tierney

academyoftheheartandmind Essays, non-fiction

12 Days of the Holidays: “Christmas in Venice” by Benedicte Grima

The sirens began sounding at midnight, and then again at 6AM. I was in Venice, where my aunt Adelaide – aka Tadé - had invited me to spend Christmas with her and her Venetian friends. It had snowed heavily the previous day, so that San Marco’s Square was thickly carpeted, as were the red tile … Continue reading 12 Days of the Holidays: “Christmas in Venice” by Benedicte Grima

academyoftheheartandmind Announcements, Fiction, Poetry

12 Days of the Holidays: “A wish for when I realize what matters” by Rachel Cheng

One day I’d like to settle down with a nice little boy in a nice little town We’d have 2 kids an old house by the sea two dogsone for him, and one for me He’d make me breakfast in bed we’d kiss when the kids aren’t looking And every christmas we’d put up a … Continue reading 12 Days of the Holidays: “A wish for when I realize what matters” by Rachel Cheng

academyoftheheartandmind Fiction, Poetry

12 Days of the Holidays: “Joy at their Shepherd’s Feet” by Douglas J. Lanzo

It was sheer joy of shepherds,that warmed the country night —after the song of angels,dispelled them of their fright.By starlight led to manger,to baby tucked in hay — by sheep and livestock pastures,they humbly made their way;to gaze upon a baby,swaddled in peasant clothes — who wakened to their voices,as mother Mary rose; to greet … Continue reading 12 Days of the Holidays: “Joy at their Shepherd’s Feet” by Douglas J. Lanzo

academyoftheheartandmind Fiction, Poetry

12 Days of the Holidays: “Yuletide Spirit Shared” by Douglas J. Lanzo

Previously published in the February 20, 2023 issue of Academy of the Heart and Mind Welcominga neighbor in –far away from all his kin;with a smile,his heart is warmed –kindness meltsthe winter storm.Offeringa steaming tea,scents of mintrise merrily…mixing witha tale or two,of friendship, steadfast and true.Nourished byspirits inside,sharing joyduring yuletide,kindred soulscount blessings known,through a yearthat … Continue reading 12 Days of the Holidays: “Yuletide Spirit Shared” by Douglas J. Lanzo

academyoftheheartandmind Fiction, Poetry

12 Days of the Holidays: “The Christmas Rainbow” by Ken Gosse

Published online by Spillwords December 12, 2020https://spillwords.com/the-christmas-rainbow/ Somewhere, over the rainbow,Santa flies,reindeer pulling his sleighacross the crisp midnight skies.Somewhere, over the rainbow,skies are clear,and the dreams of our wond’ringchildren will soon appear.One day we’re children watching forthe kindly Saint who’ll come by dooror fireplace,then wake up when we’re fully grownand have some children of our … Continue reading 12 Days of the Holidays: “The Christmas Rainbow” by Ken Gosse

academyoftheheartandmind Fiction, Poetry

12 Days of the Holidays: “The Night of the Katzen” by Ken Gosse

Published online by Home Planet News Online February 4, 2020   http://www.homeplanetnews.org/7-KenGosse.html  One year at the North Pole, the flutook down most of St. Nick’s faithful crew;all the reindeer and elvesand the Clauses themselves—poor old Nick didn’t know what to do.So while sick in their beds side by side,he confided that they must decidehow he’d gather … Continue reading 12 Days of the Holidays: “The Night of the Katzen” by Ken Gosse

academyoftheheartandmind Fiction, Poetry

Same Old Same Old

By D. R. James Three teen deer have begun of lateto make daily dusk-time stops out back,their flat flanks and thick, angled necksdepicting stumps and trunks that thenmove and materialize and re-blendas busy muzzles forage-and-freezethem across the frosted lawn. However inventive their camouflage. Yetonce I look up, so do they, slightlywhite faces and twice-twitching earsalert … Continue reading Same Old Same Old