academyoftheheartandmind Announcements, Fiction, Poetry

September Autumn Competition Poetry Co-Winner: “An Evening in the Park” by Carissa Coane

Like torches held aloft, a patchwork of copper and gold treesdapple the terrain. Merciless, a sudden gust sweeps through,stripping the boughs,sending a storm of color whirling to the ground. A lone jogger slows to a walk,bewitched by the dried leaves’ crunch beneath his every step.Children kick through mounds of fallen foliage —scarves trailing, breath visible,voices … Continue reading September Autumn Competition Poetry Co-Winner: “An Evening in the Park” by Carissa Coane

academyoftheheartandmind Announcements, Fiction, Poetry

September Autumn Competition Poetry Co-Winner: “Autumn Vibes” by Mary Bone

Autumn declares her glory withvibrant hues.The view is spectacular for a while.The trees are clothed for a time.The next season won’t be so gentle,when cold air blows in and stripsthe beauty away leaving a stark reality.Winter’s breath will soon arrive. Mary Bone has been writing poetry and short stories since childhood. Some of her poems … Continue reading September Autumn Competition Poetry Co-Winner: “Autumn Vibes” by Mary Bone

academyoftheheartandmind Announcements, Fiction

September Autumn Competition Poetry Co-Winner: “Autumnal Demise” by Emer McDermott

A soft hum came over autumn,beneath my feet patchwork was being complete. The wind rustled to knit the leaves together.Amber, gold, and green.The sky sighed out pristine clouds,soft velvet puffsagainst the cornflower blue.Tender September sung a symphony, and the morning mist danced, softening the distancebetween you and me. Rain ricocheted against my windscreenlike cathartic calligraphy, … Continue reading September Autumn Competition Poetry Co-Winner: “Autumnal Demise” by Emer McDermott

academyoftheheartandmind Announcements, Essays, non-fiction

August Summer Competition Nonfiction Winner: “The Heron” by C. Jane Swick

“No one should take a sunset for granted,” Mike says as we walk to the beach in our slickers. It’s starting to drizzle as the sun casts a golden glow over lengthening shadows. When we reach the ocean, it is boiling in a vast frothy soup rolling and stumbling upon itself in great white crests.  … Continue reading August Summer Competition Nonfiction Winner: “The Heron” by C. Jane Swick

academyoftheheartandmind Announcements, Fiction, Miscellaneous

August Summer Competition Fiction Winner: “What the Canvas Revealed” by Farytude

Ironside was a town on the edge of boiling by the time August rolled in. By the third week of the month, the earth cracked like burnt bread. Windowpanes shimmered with trapped heat. Dogs wheezed in doorways, their eyes like dull marbles. The townspeople were exhausted and frustrated by the relentless heatwave that had dragged … Continue reading August Summer Competition Fiction Winner: “What the Canvas Revealed” by Farytude

academyoftheheartandmind Announcements, Fiction, Poetry

August Summer Competition Poetry Winner: “Summer at the lake” by Rita McDermott

Originally published in Bards Across the Pond. Peering downward from the sky…A painted picture of lush green trees Sprouting up from the groundLike clumps of broccoli.A green garden surrounding a still body of water Pools of diamonds sparkling on the surface Courtesy of the sun’s radiant rays.Wooden structures jutting out from the shore Invading upon … Continue reading August Summer Competition Poetry Winner: “Summer at the lake” by Rita McDermott