By Danny P. Barbare Every Crack in the Den With a little bit of spice in warm apple ciderit fillsevery crack in theden of winterto the bottomof the cupto the bottom of my leather boots. Peach Colored Skies Orchardsandorchardsofpeachcoloredskieslikejuicerunningdownmypenonanapkin. Danny P. Barbare resides in the Upstate of the Carolinas.
Topinabee
By Ed Ahern When my age was barely in double digitsI walked alone on a little used railroad trackthrough woods and along a lake shoreto the quiet village of TopinabeeI spoke little but looked closely atthe summer somnolent goings on.Then bought and ate ice cream,and clambered up the embankmentfor the two miles and some return.I … Continue reading Topinabee
Ghosts of Partridge Island
By Kayla Flowers A ghostly howl spread across the rugged sea, where spirits lie wild and free,An island, a land a mile north where people bring forth refuge and shelter,The whispers of the night might give you a fright as the crisp air approaches,Ships of the night guided by the light of a watchful eye,A … Continue reading Ghosts of Partridge Island
On Blair Road
By Taylor Dibbert He’s in an UberOn Blair RoadAnd he noticesThe HumaneRescue AllianceWhere they unexpectedlyGot LondonAnd he seesLike he’s neverSeen beforeHow small momentsBecome big momentsAnd how big momentsBecome forever. Taylor Dibbert is a writer, journalist, and poet in Washington, DC. "Rescue Dog," his fifth book, was published in May.
Letters to Santa
By Maryanne Chrisant My brother and I are twins. My brother, Ben, and I don’t look alike, and our demeanors can’t be more different. But we are brothers, joined from that sparkling moment of conception, used to sharing common quarters, food supply, and our mother’s attention, which, when we were growing up, was no more … Continue reading Letters to Santa
White Christmas Snow
By Faye Charlotte Three feet of snow cover anything in sight, except the black sludge that pools at the edges of the road. The bright white stings your eyes with its reflection. Is it Christmas yet? My mother adorns the tree in red bulbs. Red like the ribbon you used to wear in your hair. … Continue reading White Christmas Snow
Elusive
By Orode Ajuwaghan To search…How is that for a Human constant.A trait ingrained, deep in the fabric of our being, Long before we were an amalgamation of several conscious thoughts.Tis a maker’s humour,To gleefully watch over creations futile attempts to placate desperations. Mindlessly groping amongst the shadows, Across jagged and straight lines.For all things, between … Continue reading Elusive
A Circular Path
By Marianne Brems Previously published in Stepping Stones in May 2024 From lakes to vapor to clouds to raindrops to earth and lakes, the everyday cycle of transferand renewal, a circular path, until it breaks. When a deluge of raindrops loosens soil,fells trees,spills mud, clogs drains,pools water,when a deficit of raindrops drains lushness,releases turgor,shrivels leaves, … Continue reading A Circular Path
Lincoln in Court
By Fred Klein Early in his law career, Abraham Lincoln had an unusual case in the backwoods of Illinois. A certain Mr. Jake Plummer was accused of stabbing a Mr. Wilson Black to death with a knife. There were three witnesses who said they saw Mr. Plummer kill Mr. Black. No one wanted to defend Mr. Plummer, but … Continue reading Lincoln in Court
Circus Sam
By Luke Beling I moved to a new school in the eighth grade. Dad thought we needed a fresh start after mom died. It took my classmates one week to devise a nickname for me—one week of observing my zinc-painted face. "You're just missing the green hair and juggling balls, Circus Sam!" The first day … Continue reading Circus Sam
Academy of the Heart And Mind 