Sunlight peeked over the horizon. Elanora pushed the woven grass curtain back. No need to call Traden or Shadel from onvine chatting with distant friends. The weather forecast for today was bright sunshine for a full eight hours. She tapped her final vine mail of the night. The vine quivered as the message shifted off … Continue reading Spring Contest Fiction Winner: “Solar Life” by Gail Brown
Spring Competition Poetry Co-Winner: “Spring’s Maestro” by Vanaja Malathy
On a pleasant spring daya little brown bird appearedfrom behind the green leafy screen reddish tail of rusty tone, brown chest and belly white-gray throat…the colors adding neither beauty nor glamor the unassuming bird perched unnoticed on the central branchthe bird spread its wings a littleclosed its eyes in meditationits throat swelled the deep breath … Continue reading Spring Competition Poetry Co-Winner: “Spring’s Maestro” by Vanaja Malathy
Him
By Zary Fekete Previously published in Bright Flash Literary Review. He came from nothing. His parents were dead. He grew up on the streets. Now a young man, he stood on the corner day after day, begging. Though he was grimy, he had a fine head of hair and bright eyes. He whispered words of … Continue reading Him
Is Anyone Out There?
By T.W. Crone The boy knocked on the apartment door in the dirty hallway. He wore an orange elementary school hoodie with an owl face on the front. The owl had glasses, which made it look intelligent. He ran his hand through his hair, looked at the peephole, and smiled as slippered feet shuffled inside. … Continue reading Is Anyone Out There?
The Blue on her Skates
By Jahnavi Fernandes Beatrice bolted out of the arena, shock and fury engulfing her body. She felt her fingertips turn into cobalt as she stopped to rest, turning strictly away from the blue-eyed boy who had just watched her leave. It was a moment of pure panic, but a satisfying result: she could win. Stumbling … Continue reading The Blue on her Skates
In The Checkout Line
By Julie Potter Being a receipt printer isn’t so bad. Sure, spitting out strips of paper can get tiring, especially when the lines seem never ending and there’s more returning than buying. But it’s fun to see the cashiers work—some of them make the most memorable faces typing in products! And sometimes, I’m the closest … Continue reading In The Checkout Line
The Divine Comedy in Three Volumes
By Guillermo Bowie And Dante Alighieri only capturedThree levels within human fateAnd it isn’t exactly explainedWhere I was when the good senator exited this lifeThe senator of senatorsArchitect of the westernDirector of the peopleThe human eclipse Vicente FernandezHe was always capturing the people’s imaginationAnd he extended completely to the depthsJust as Dante Alighieri had handled … Continue reading The Divine Comedy in Three Volumes
Oh What A Tree
By Charles C Gaines The north wind blew hard and cold, screaming over the mountains, swirling through the hills outside Denver. Hardwoods and evergreenswalled the backyard of the farmhouse,sentinels lined against the frosty fence rails.Sworn allies, standing tall, no doubtthat together they could ever fail.Massive spruce, dusted by the first snow.Tall maples, bereft of leaves, … Continue reading Oh What A Tree
Distance
By Paul O. Jenkins In this photograph,Taken from a respectful distance,I see my sister kneelBeside the horse16 hands high,Now unable to riseFrom the pasture floorAnd I wonder at the love On displayAnd the steady handOf my brother-in-law,Centering the shot,And the knowledgeThat I will never so loveOr be so steady myself. Paul O. Jenkins aims to … Continue reading Distance
At a Butterfly Exhibit
By Leslie Dianne At the butterfly exhibitmost of you dizzy dancewhirling in wonderfor the amazement of the crowdsome of you are shyand motionless hiding behind the canopy of your wings heads bowedlegs folded in public prayerall of you are vainyour million scales reflecting your scarlet, tan and indigo splendor, bodies contracting wings figure eighting and … Continue reading At a Butterfly Exhibit
Academy of the Heart And Mind 