By Alex Andy Phuong A romantic retreatCan be a real treat,Especially since A sense of passionPuts love into action,And fall under the spellOf wishes from a wishing well,For time will tellIf love could withstandThe test of time,And never underestimate How love is sublime,And the way toAppreciate todayComes from the loss of hate,So choose to love … Continue reading Under the Spell of Love
The Swamp Witch
By Thom Schilling Gray and windy, the last ghosts of winter spit sleet from the mid-March sky. Bored senseless, my best friend Paul and I spent the last hour depositing quarters in an industrial-sized dryer in the only laundromat in town. If you wore heavy leather gloves and braced yourself against the barrel, you could … Continue reading The Swamp Witch
A Black Belt in Action
By Lewis Brett Smiler The tournament was more than a month away, but Mrs. Holland could not help feeling excited. Her grandson Gary would be competing for the first time as a black belt. The fifteen-year-old was determined to win the top prize in sparring, but his opponents would be tougher than before. He would … Continue reading A Black Belt in Action
Believe… The Heart Must Know
By Heymy Patiño Martínez While in México, my mother sent my father photo booth photographs. Of us. Of her. Border separation, steel fenced. Erected, engineered to digitize the family. In school kids tell us we are weird. Not because we are, but because we are fatherless. Left. Alone. No head of household.I was born truly … Continue reading Believe… The Heart Must Know
Sun Crossing
By Frances Leitch SUN SONG In the Sun Songthe swallows flytwo abreastCutting across the skyThe bubbling brookdances on mossy rocksPlaying endlesslythe tune of laughterBuck and doeCross green grassin the meadowAnd butterfliesSpread their wings to the sunWarm themselvesand then are goneSun Song Summertime So light and fullBillowy white cloudsRoam across The sky of blueUpturned faces of … Continue reading Sun Crossing
Shelter from the Storm
By Teresa Freeland I hate our SUV. I hate the ugly brown exterior. I hate the glove compartment that won’t stay shut. I hate the aqua blue seats and the muddy beige carpet. And I hate that I have one more whole day of relentless riding in the hated back seat with my repulsive little … Continue reading Shelter from the Storm
Burnt Sienna
By Jim Bates Fall was her favorite season. Smiling and happy she walked woodland trails collecting leaves and weeds and grasses. She enjoyed the feel of nature in her hands she liked to say, especially the colorful leaves. Sometimes she’d take him along, holding his tiny hand gently like she held her collections. He’d follow … Continue reading Burnt Sienna
Anchor
By Ashby Neterer Since wild winds have gone and restless rains have ceased and starry skies broke into dawn, you cut your anchor free. Now that storm has passed, and waves wound down their rage, you broke the chain that bound you fast at your most needful stage. But when the clouds collect, and you, … Continue reading Anchor
Seasons
By Vern Fein You can’t slip and fall on sunshinewhich reveals my prejudiceagainst Old Man Winterwho I would trip whenhe wasn’t lookingcause him to falland break his anklelike my boss didon that black ice at the airportwhich he couldn’t see because of the sun glare.Oh shoot.You have to be carefulevery season. A recent octogenarian, Vern … Continue reading Seasons
Beauty and the Feast
By Alex Andy Phuong Bounty full of beautyA feast for the sensesTaste a colorful rainbowAs a way to understand howThe power of nowReveals the gift of the presentAnd being alive,And after expressing gratitude For sustenance,Have a hopeful attitudeAs a way to seeHow to improve reality,For elegance and refinement Might reign supreme,But the necessity of foodReveals … Continue reading Beauty and the Feast
