By Jim Bates The head of Parks and Recreation, Fred Nicoletti, extended his hat. “Good luck, kid, he winked. “You’re going to need it.” Nothing like a little intimidation to add to my already jangling nerves. I was standing on the north beach of Lake Harriet, getting ready for my final test. I’d passed the … Continue reading Zinc
Three-Two and Other Poems
By Dave Maze Three-Two Negativity oozes discomfort Leeching on like suction cups Gnawing like jagged teeth A miasma surrounds this energy Shatter it. Break free. --- An escape plan I must Portal to positivity Cosmic dust emblazons on the ocean Sparking your wanderlust. Break the Walls Face your fears Flutter & flicker Do you hear, … Continue reading Three-Two and Other Poems
The Cave and Other Poems
By Nichole Davies The Cave There is a cave. A cave full of paintings of old. They ripple through the water as memories written on walls; sharp like the pointed minerals, echoing with the deep pool in the blackness; Dark, desolate, with them she awaits. There among the stale air and weeping ceilings, a remnant … Continue reading The Cave and Other Poems
Reframing Walter
By Russell Richardson Tom felt true affection for his therapist Walter. Unlike confused parents, expectant girlfriends, and demanding employers, Walter accepted Tom unconditionally. For years, the silver-haired man had nodded sagely while Tom talked on the office’s leather couch. When Tom’s ramblings developed into a meaningful thought, Walter expressed satisfaction; when the babble went nowhere, … Continue reading Reframing Walter
Four Poems About Turning 40
By Richard LeDue I. We believe we're safe, sealed away behind walls, white as snow because we were told to repaint every five years, while memories of artificial trees (always green), appear immutable, but just long enough to fool us, like the angel on top until the lights burned out, and our eyes have become … Continue reading Four Poems About Turning 40
The Pillow Top Bed and Pop’s Pillow Top Bed
By Eva Marie Ann Cagley The Pillow Top Bed During the first week while my late husband Bob lay in a hospital bed in the ICU at the University Hospital in Iowa City, we were camped out on coaches in a cubical that we had taken over for the family and ourselves. My brother had … Continue reading The Pillow Top Bed and Pop’s Pillow Top Bed
The Briefest of Relationships and Other Poems
By John Grey The Briefest of Relationships Traffic crawled, head-lamps swam in exhaust cloud for block after interminable block. The road itself idled. Six hundred cars followed suit. The driver ahead of me crawled to a stop. My foot pressed down hard on the much-reviled brake. She leaned out of the window. Featureless back of … Continue reading The Briefest of Relationships and Other Poems
The Clock and Other Poems
By Stephen Kingsnorth The Clock A classical pastiche: corner cherubs, putti poorly cast which now corrode, Tempus Fugit plate, commanding serif comment overall, arranged on brittle face, metallic square, crude cut. Encased in wood pretending plastic, even hardboard, glue, mis-stained, this poor-imagined age and quality are what money buys for the undiscerning, those who own … Continue reading The Clock and Other Poems
A Delicate Balance and 11 P.M. Saturday
By Ian Copestick A Delicate Balance I was just looking through my note book. In the last 4 months, since everything in my life went horribly wrong. Since my beloved woman of 18 years, and then my father died, I've had 10 new poems published. Before I used to get that many published in 1 … Continue reading A Delicate Balance and 11 P.M. Saturday
Travels and Other Poems
By Alex Andy Phuong Travels Life as a journey Is an Odyssey Full of twists and turns And full of mystery For the future is unknown Nevertheless People can discover Meaning within their lives And why they were born By continuing traveling On the figurative road And by venturing Into the Unknown Until they realize … Continue reading Travels and Other Poems
Academy of the Heart And Mind 