By Kelly Doheney A garden lies in the center of my soul.Once dead, it is becoming alive.A place where a survivor’s story unfolds.A place where dreams and hopes thrive.The sun shines bright; the sky is blue.Nourishing the healing of a broken heart.The soil, once barren, is now fertile and new.For new beauty from ashes begins … Continue reading Garden of Healing
Dr. Volcano’s Chili Warzone
By Nick Zverloff Tomato, garlic, and onion mixed into an aroma powerful as the rock music blasting from the ceiling. Neon lights illuminated the menu behind the counter. Chipotle Showdown Bowl. Tex-Mex Explosion Bowl. Endless Battle Refillable Bowl. A man stood before his restaurant, his outfit ridiculous as his menu names. He wore a jacket … Continue reading Dr. Volcano’s Chili Warzone
The Price of Fame
By Tim Law POP goes my knee as my boot connects with the ball. That pigskin goes sailing, the longest kick I’ve ever attempted. A split second later the linebacker crunches into me and we both hit the turf. I’m certain if I wasn’t wearing my armour I’d have two or three snapped ribs, even … Continue reading The Price of Fame
New Book from Channie Greenberg
Channie Greenberg's new poetry omnibus (the best works from her first 16 poetry collections), Miscellaneous Parlor Tricks, published a few weeks ago. Within its pages is work originally offered by The Academy of the Heart and Mind. Greenberg has also released her first children's book, Stanley Penguin.
Shopping Memories
By Debra J. White I grew up in New York City during the Cold War era. The city was packed with multi-level department stores that stocked clothing, furniture, toys, linens, hats, appliances and more. There was free gift wrapping and complimentary boxes. Some NYC department stores like Bloomingdale’s were high end for the upscale shopper. … Continue reading Shopping Memories
A Night in an Ethiopian Monastery
By Michael J. Barrington Debre Damos had always fascinated me. I’d visited several monasteries in Ethiopia on previous visits, including several in Lake Tana, but never this one. Getting there by road was only the beginning of my adventure! Having flown into Axum, I drove towards Adigrat, on a reasonably well surfaced road, passing deep … Continue reading A Night in an Ethiopian Monastery
A Wrong Righted
By Reeve Chudd “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – Winnie the Pooh “Keeney!” Lewis Beauchamp called out to his young associate, whose office was next door to his, well within earshot. Mark Keeney, who had only three months before passed the Indiana State Bar exam, appeared. “Yes, sir?” … Continue reading A Wrong Righted
Every Crack in the Den and Peach Colored Skies
By Danny P. Barbare Every Crack in the Den With a little bit of spice in warm apple ciderit fillsevery crack in theden of winterto the bottomof the cupto the bottom of my leather boots. Peach Colored Skies Orchardsandorchardsofpeachcoloredskieslikejuicerunningdownmypenonanapkin. Danny P. Barbare resides in the Upstate of the Carolinas.
The Hen or the Egg, Which Existed First?
By Joshua Ibirogba Before my mother thought to put diapers on me as an infant, she had put waist beads on this infant. She held me up like a trophy, it was fair she took my loud cries as a consent to the adorning—that is all babies ever do, isn't it? I am African, so … Continue reading The Hen or the Egg, Which Existed First?
Topinabee
By Ed Ahern When my age was barely in double digitsI walked alone on a little used railroad trackthrough woods and along a lake shoreto the quiet village of TopinabeeI spoke little but looked closely atthe summer somnolent goings on.Then bought and ate ice cream,and clambered up the embankmentfor the two miles and some return.I … Continue reading Topinabee
Academy of the Heart And Mind 