By Zara Thustra “This is it,” Natalia says as she stares at two tickets on her kitchen table. Stencilled on them, in brown and sandy letters, is World Chess Championship – Lincoln Center – Sat, July 9, 2039 2:00 PM. “I’m doing it today. No more getting cold feet.” Last Friday at the coffee house, … Continue reading 8 mn 20 s
Brave Ramon
By Lewis Brett Smiler Whenever Jen sang at the nursing home, her boyfriend Ramon would forget himself and start singing along. But when Jen looked at him from the piano, he would stop immediately. His off-key voice was very distracting. Yet, seeing her dad’s old coworker Mr. Spinelli was far more unsettling. He used to … Continue reading Brave Ramon
Crying
By Bella Melardi The west worships complaints of those Who have a voice to do so And that is not everyone everywhere I can cry But when you live to survive I can only ever imagine it Blood becomes a language You learn to speakTo survive Panicking becomes death And life becomes a question I … Continue reading Crying
H U M A N A
By Ode4 Roman Pangea two, emerging, redesignedContours and shapes of its lands and seas,Creating happily flowers and bees:New world of wonders first Earthlings sighted.Their life evolved blooming through aeonsGrafting varieties, selecting someTo lead invasions into the outcome,Growing,surviving through daughters and sons.Daughters became their first state of the art:The sacred Goddess, the Muse, the Empress,And marble … Continue reading H U M A N A
A Bloom That Refuses To Die
By Mariam Shote Last night I was in solitude as if to say I wander in eigengrau with eyes closed while cold lava runs down my cheeks in a burning sensation. It always feels like a dream— but it’s not. The warmth of my tears slap me awake, dragging me into reality. When I try … Continue reading A Bloom That Refuses To Die
Helix Moon
By Priscilla Duran-Luciano It bleedsthick red dropletshiding in the foldsof my ear.It hurts.I don’t knowwhat hurts —my ear,my helix,my cartilage moon,my heart.my heart…who knows.I carry them,the bleeding moon,my sore heart.They meltinto onesingle helix,and the moonkeeps turning in my ear,its tides pullingthe last crimson tears out of meinto the dark. Priscilla Duran-Luciano is a Dominican-born poet … Continue reading Helix Moon
November “The Thursdays” Contest: Gold Winner: “We Gather Together” by Clarence Heller
Only now, as what I treasure about Thanksgivingis no longer possible,only now do I realize that the important aspect of celebratingthis holiday has always been changing,year after year, decade after decade.As a child, it was to have playtime with my cousins.Then as a teenager in love, it was to spend time with mysweetheart and her … Continue reading November “The Thursdays” Contest: Gold Winner: “We Gather Together” by Clarence Heller
Feathery Hope
By Manoela Torres This silly little heartBeats and breaks for youNever learning when to stop Forever figuring what to doWhether you go Whether you stay This heart will grow wideDay after dayLoving and losing Was never the gameA heart doesn't survive on loveIt's feathery hopeThat has us jump off the cliff Flying then fallingAgain and … Continue reading Feathery Hope
“Dear Imposter”
By Luisa Mays I blame youFor the dreams that always sleptAnd for the story never told.I blame you. For the lesson never learned,And the space never filledYouI blame.For the busted something that I never fixed.The memories I never switched.The cobwebs I never cleaned And the hours of sleep I missed.I blame youFor the plans that … Continue reading “Dear Imposter”
Five Fall Colors Haiku
By Jim Bates Sumac leaves changingShades of orange and burgundyColors of pure joy.Gunmetal grey skyBlazing red maples stand proudFall’s splendorous show.Autumn wind blowingGolden leaves racing madlyTrees becoming bare.Along the lakeshoreTrees fiery orange and redAutumnal delight.Man with cameraBlue aster and honeybeeCaptured for all time. Jim lives in a small-town twenty miles west of Minneapolis, Minnesota. His … Continue reading Five Fall Colors Haiku
Academy of the Heart And Mind 