By Mona Mehas he sits on a bench in the parkold growth trees soar over his headpigeons at his feet devour crackersleft from his lunchsquirrels join the picnic their chatter brings a smilehis ears perk at the sound of cardinalsbut he’s aloneshe comes to the park in her finest scarfwith turquoise peacock markingsand silver stars … Continue reading Dispel the Loneliness
Mid-Temperature
By Meer Singh I’ve dragged my chairinto the primary patch of sun. A blanket hangs overmy lap. Through thescreen door, my feline companionasks to join me. When I oblige,she just runs to the soft cave behind myback. She hearsthe dogs next doorwhine and whine from their metallong leads. Theirfive foot human barks at themto stop … Continue reading Mid-Temperature
Ear Apprentice
By Daniel de Culla Photo by Isabel G. de Diego In the park, next to his houseGrandpa, tiredHas sat down on the wooden bench.The little boyPrettier than the sunHas seized the momentTo put some cream on his earSo the sun doesn't burn itAnd then he goes complainingTo Grandma.-Grandpa I don't want the sun to burn … Continue reading Ear Apprentice
Raven Day
By Cynthia Doll Julie eased down on the bed, face first, so exhausted and sore she couldn’t even lay down fast. She stayed sprawled out for some time, her mind going over chores accomplished and more still be to be done. The corral needed to be cleaned and she really had to get to the … Continue reading Raven Day
Benicia
By Kenton Erwin It used to be simpler, this business of the dead helping the dead. For over a thousand years the washer-fairies, the Bean-Nighe, emerged from mist and gathered by some frigid Scottish stream or lake, at night. Into their hands appeared the clothes of the good souls about to die. Rubbing the soiled … Continue reading Benicia
A Staging of the World
By Kaleb M Dufel PROLOGUE Even so in those older days, there was naught but the Script. The Script brought forth Life and the World1. The Script is the firmament upon which the Stage rests. All that is here is here because of the Script and nothing would be here without it. In the Script … Continue reading A Staging of the World
Sunbathing in the front room
By Edmund Rottworth When I was little I would sunbathIn the little square of golden light That fell inFrom the big picture window Onto the orange rug In my front room.Propped up on my elbows and Feet kicked up almost to the back of my headI would watchStrings and stands of sunlightIlluminated in the dustAnd … Continue reading Sunbathing in the front room
The Stranger in My Home
By Kelly Flanagan A low angry voice rumbled from the living room as Eve stooped to move clothes from the washer to the dryer. “You’re a naughty, nasty little boy.” She dropped the wet clothes on the floor before rushing out of the laundry room and through the kitchen. Eve’s mom had her bony hands … Continue reading The Stranger in My Home
Glory to Him
By Rakev Gemechu We sit in a circle, arms folded tight,feet beating the earth like it owes us something.The sun isn't gentle; it burns our soles darker,carves white lines across skin like old scars. My feet, still smooth, hide under my dress,streaked with morning mud, tucked away like secrets. Others don’t hide theirs. Toenails gone, … Continue reading Glory to Him
The Next Step
By Holly Day I keep starting sentences with “When this is all over”acknowledging that there will be a future when everything is normal againwhen I don’t have to worry about touching or hugging my friendswhen I can see my parents again, face to faceand not just as flickering images on my computer screen.I keep finishing … Continue reading The Next Step
Academy of the Heart And Mind 