By Christine Leoni I walk down the broken steps onto the cracked path.It leads to an irregular dirt road winding underneath a canopy of trees.The holes in the sky blind my sight momentarily and warm me from within. The tips of the pines sway sending a chill of air across my face.My cheeks flush, and … Continue reading Blank Slate
The Random Draw
By Doctor Lynn Reaching into the drawer, I pulled out a pack of pens. One pen was missing from the package. I love these pens because they write so smoothly and are so cheap. I get them at the dollar store. Eight pens for $1.25 – that’s a great deal! I am a note and … Continue reading The Random Draw
Plastic Flowers
By Charmaine Arjoonlal Vanity of vanity Vanity of vanity... All is vanity. Ecclesiastes 1:14 Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto I DODGED THROUGH the din and smells and shoppers to purchase another pair of pants. I wanted her to find me beautiful. I wanted her to love me. I’d finally have a place. In front of a … Continue reading Plastic Flowers
The Good Goodbye
By Tracie Adams I’m positive the assistant manager of the ice-skating rink was not expecting the response he got. He puffed out his argyle sweater-clad chest and squared off his petite, round shoulders as if trying to scare off a bear. His animated behavior only served to heighten the humor of the scene, so my … Continue reading The Good Goodbye
Jonathan Edwards
By Rip Underwood No death, no fracture, issued the dayour House’s joists, riven by frost,knuckled off their notches, droppedupon many a balcony’s full weight.I called it a rebuke, a mercy, for nothinghappens without a great Consent.The ecstasies came and went; foxglovefell to winter, and all the coloniesfelt of it, asking, “Pastor, what has comeupon Boston, … Continue reading Jonathan Edwards
Song of the Coffee Pot and Old Apartments
By Spencer Keene Song of the Coffee Pot The fluorescent bulbs flick onas you stumble into the kitchen,your eyes swollen with sleep.From my perch atop the counterI watch your clumsy movements,anticipate the immanent warmth.The cupboard creaks and revealsits stores to you; boxes, tins, cansand a collection of odds and ends.You palm the big blue cannister,lift … Continue reading Song of the Coffee Pot and Old Apartments
Who is that, that Stands Against the Wall?
By Jack Strayer Who is that, that stands against the wall?Is there even anyone at all?A stalwart face with empty lipsAnd furtive eyes, I cannot tell, of wine or gris.His arms rise and fall to a silent museWhile his legs stumble as if in a fugue.His skin is as transparent as a pallor fog,But as … Continue reading Who is that, that Stands Against the Wall?
Feeding The Gulls
By Richard Weaver They surround us with wingswild for popcorn and bread,even a day-old granola bar.We toss them upwards to airas they hover in the wind above;we scatter them with a dozen tossesStill they stay with us,still they come each morningwitness to what we offer. Richard Weaver volunteers with the Maryland Book Bank, CityLights, and … Continue reading Feeding The Gulls
Storms and Boats
By Ashwini Bhat We hear about the storms,Then, we talk about the boats.How, not all our storms are the same,But neither are our boats.Then when Monday hits,All is forgotten.The philosophy of the storms, The analogy of the boats.Lost in the rush-hour traffic,In the windowless cubicles,In the goal-less meetings,In the soul-less monitors,Buried in endless numbers, muffled … Continue reading Storms and Boats
Keep on Trucking
By Jon Moray Gary adjusted his helmet as he negotiated in his head his next jump. Known as a dirt bike daredevil, he attempted stunts up hills no one would ever consider. He revved the bike motor, gave a thumbs-up to an anxious crowd sitting in the bleachers and was off testing the shock absorbers … Continue reading Keep on Trucking
Academy of the Heart And Mind 