By James Aitchison I watch — captive —as the storm rolls inacross the bay,and the sea suckslight from the sky.The world ends atthe lashing rain,nothing exists beyond the punctured waves,the sand heaves beneathevery lightning strike,and old palms surrendertheir branches. And after the rage — the calm, deep and majestic,and the world holdsits breath. James Aitchison … Continue reading Beach storm
They’ve Fired All the Meteorologists
By Ken Damerow Another storm north of Hope,others past Denver &Kawkawlin, pushing into the lake,boiling fresh water. At the lip of the demon’s anvil,balanced on the upper tower,we scan radar alertsno longer matching the rising pressures.The bear cage, dangerously building, pushes us, franticfor solace, towardsthe pod-cast people,certain in themselves. Ken Damerow is a poet based … Continue reading They’ve Fired All the Meteorologists
Home
By Umera Riyaz In the fields, I held my hands.The echoes of your voice;plays reels of the past.Numbness shrinks my hunger,kissing the wounds of yesterday.My knees ache;my cracked heels are swollenfrom the weight of my thoughts.Barefoot, I walk like a lost sovereign.To the mainland I must return,But my feet remain still on concrete.A burnt bridge … Continue reading Home
Old Libraries
By Donna M. Davis Conservators know the aromas of old books and the matter that forms them, the rate at which paper decomposes, the glue and the lignin, the stiff cardboard jackets or tooled leather covers.Cellulose dissolves slowly, melds invisibly with the air, fills your nostrils with hints of earth and vanilla. Forest mushrooms pop … Continue reading Old Libraries
Roadtrip
By John Ziegler On the 40 through southeast California,the brown Sierra Nevada,and stretches of dry sand and toasted sagebrush.White wind turbines in the distancea dozen here, two dozen there, two hundred on the hilltopslow roll in the wind.I’m flying at 80 in the 70 zone,Brubeck playing “Take Five”, the sky a soft blue,just thirty miles … Continue reading Roadtrip
The death of men
By Soham.M.P Whence their hands did gas the earthfrom which men did see rebirthA legion of those thought deadnow march the lands with vengeful headAs they coughed up blood and bits of lungblanketed in the air, chlorine hungWith crimson stained cloth draped across their facethey swore to advance to the German baseThe kaiser's troops with … Continue reading The death of men
Wailing Wall
By Stephen Kingsnorth Previously published by The Ekphrastic Review, November 2022 Les Saltimbanques (The Acrobats), by Gustave Dore (France) 1874 A balanced art composed to bringdiagonals of blue, soak red,reflecting acrobatic swing -but shed composure, fallen, bled.Sneer ace of spades in circus grinjoins daylight owl awaiting death,hug leotard, pale second skinsave flush of loins, last … Continue reading Wailing Wall
Interim Archeology
By Tracy Powers When traveling past darkIn familiar and private landsI have a curious past time - A unique fascination with businesses Dimmed, and shutteredFor an evening’s spellOr a weekend’s timeThere, be it city, countyUnder rural stars or metropolis lightsAnd regardless of the intricate method of window dressingAll is alike and equal in the cloak … Continue reading Interim Archeology
(YOUR DREAMS)
By Rick K. Reut …make you lose sleep.And then – your mind.You count sheepuntil you findthat there’s no endto them. It seemsthat, in this landof dreams, your dreams……make you lose sleep. And then – your mind. You count sheep until you find that there’s no end to them. It seems that, in this land of … Continue reading (YOUR DREAMS)
We had smiles
By Tanner Norman Runnin', flouncin', fightin'We had it all, lost it in a fallThe Plague mended us Dreamin' of the fun in my past landExperimentin' in the laboratory of potentialEnhance your brainSo many have lost it...I think when I went into the caveMy friends were thereWhat were we doing?Livin'We were livin'Crafting the miracle of childhoodThen … Continue reading We had smiles
Academy of the Heart And Mind 