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
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
A Life of Stimulation
By Shinsaku Ashida Beneath the snowlies a lifeone prefers not to see.Unwanted feelings—numbedby stronger sensations.The wrongness is clear.Clothing grows vivid,loud in color,but not fitfor the winter mountains.Even when reachingthrough snow,the mountain’s surfacemay stillremain untouched.Still,the mountain seensince childhoodstands unchangedtonight.And when spring comes,turning awaywill no longer be possible. Shinsaku Ashida is a Japanese poet whose work centers on … Continue reading A Life of Stimulation
Le Chat Noir
By Emily Gennis It was the kind of night that creeps up on soft, silent paws, and has its claws in you before you even know it's there. I was in my usual spot on the windowsill, watching a squirrel bury its loot and muttering all the things I’d do to it if I ever … Continue reading Le Chat Noir
Sunset at the Red Arrow Grille
By Joseph Carrabis Angie watched the old couple take booth 7. They sat on either side of the table, reached across and held hands. She sized them up quickly and smiled: dressed for Fall weather in old, well-worn, but clean clothes. Probably limited income, just got their checks. This is their big time out this … Continue reading Sunset at the Red Arrow Grille
