By Mike Paterson-Jones The letter that came in the post was intriguing. The envelope was pale green and was addressed in the most beautiful handwriting. Inside was an invitation to dinner with Robert de Morgan on a date two weeks hence at ‘Rogues Manor’. We had only just bought the farm in the Eastern Mountains … Continue reading The Aspidistra and The Mock Turtle Soup
Respite
By Allan Lake So warm inside the medical centre. Padded chairs, clean toilets, TV, chilled water. Nobody asks why I’m here. Receptionists don’t notice me so my invisibility is working today. As their title suggests they’re paid to receive not to sort out those with appointments and those who need a warm, dry place to … Continue reading Respite
Thesaurus and Other Poems
By Allen Guest Thesaurus A thesaurus would eventually lead me to “dappled,” the way the sunlight plays on the lawn as the trees – a poplar, two sweetgum, a red maple – sway in a light breeze on a cool morning in early May. But dappled does not really capture it. “Magically dappled?” No. This … Continue reading Thesaurus and Other Poems
Academy Classics: O Tannenbaum
By Thomas Page The tree sort of slumped over. Ornaments scattered all over the ground. On the way down, the tree took out several pictures on the mantle. The ground was covered in broken glass, clay, and porcelain. Their dog, Sparkles, was trying to eat the remains of a surfing Santa. “Well, I’ll get some … Continue reading Academy Classics: O Tannenbaum
The Women of the Sea
By Samantha Sampson There have been rumors about the Women of the Sea for as long as I can remember. Rumors that spoke of women passengers aboard sea vessels being drowned. Drowned by sailors who believed having a woman aboard their ship was bad luck. Women who only wanted to sail, to explore the vast … Continue reading The Women of the Sea
The Rains
By Ruscena Wiederholt Kate woke to a strange sensation. Light, streaming through the blinds, cast intricate patterns on her bedspread. Something had disturbed her slumber, but she wasn't sure what, a car honking? She stirred, and lodged underneath her sternum there it was, the feeling that something had changed, profoundly and inextricably. But what? Her cat, … Continue reading The Rains
Not Just Yet and Other Poems
By Tom Squitieri Not Just Yet At morning the snow eludes The joy of rebirth the wakeup of beauty promised instead the cold darts Of water pellets Hit the deck Warfare on our anticipation Beauty chased away Cocoon endangered Cold rain does not Hug tree branches with beauty Permit fast dashes for snow angels Nor … Continue reading Not Just Yet and Other Poems
Hanging By A Thread
By Rolf Erickson When the car stopped spun backwards on the shoulder of highway 34 it was so dark and so quiet I thought I was dead. So I said, "Hello?" my eyes still closed. And she said, "I'm here." That's when I knew it wasn't over yet. For two weeks I walked through space … Continue reading Hanging By A Thread
Catskill Oasis Bookends
By Susan Anmuth Every autumn except last covid year my Yorkie leads me around the Saugerties garlic festival. Neither of us knows how to read signs that say No Dogs. This year we go a day late -- because now it’s getting personal. Nothing could keep me from the October 2 march for abortion rights. … Continue reading Catskill Oasis Bookends
The World Has A Habit Of Saying No and Georgia Olivia Duke
By April McDermott The World Has A Habit Of Saying No The world has a habit of saying no. Saying no to my dreams. Saying no to all my great plans and schemes. When I told this to my Papa, He simply smiled and said, "Maybe the world is actually saying yes instead. "You see, … Continue reading The World Has A Habit Of Saying No and Georgia Olivia Duke
Academy of the Heart And Mind 