Ghosts and goblins, pumpkin heads, witches riding brooms– Telling scary stories in dimly lighted rooms– Sitting ‘round the campfire, hot-dog-roasting fumes– These are autumn moments . . . vividly in bloom. Leaves raked high from autumn trees, fiery golds and reds– Jumping deeply in the pile, covering our heads– Darker mornings, shorter days, quicker “off-to-beds”– … Continue reading 13 Halloween Tales: Autumn Moments by Donna Arthur Downs
Academy Classics: Thrice by Thomas Page
In preparation for our 13 Halloween Tales starting tomorrow, we decided that we wanted to set the mood with one of our earliest Halloween stories featured on the website. -The Editors Everybody in town knew about the murders. You couldn’t walk down Washington Street without someone tapping you on the shoulder to confirm what they … Continue reading Academy Classics: Thrice by Thomas Page
Just Smile and Other Poems
By Zimuzo Onah Just Smile An expanse across the milky way nature’s happiest concave curve, splattered with shines in array_ clothing the face with such verve that makes the brushes marvel “Indeed, our impact is yet larval” Cushy, yet to many a tall order cheap, yet an artifact so pricey fleeting, yet lasting years after … Continue reading Just Smile and Other Poems
Absent Questions
By Chloe Alfieri "I talk to god but the sky is empty" Sylvia Plath I love the breeze through my window at midnight, the stars and the clouds and the moon, full, embraces me in light. I love, love, love her. Shouting into the void: Is all of this love going somewhere? In her absence … Continue reading Absent Questions
A Day in the Life… And Other Poems
By Ann Christine Tabaka A Day in the Life… dishes piled high in the sink. dirty laundry strewn over the back of a chair. all life in chaos and disarray. nothing seems as it should. twisted visions of dreams from the past. crumbs on the kitchen floor. thinking I need a day off. life running … Continue reading A Day in the Life… And Other Poems
The Nun’s Pockets
By Kait Leonard Sister Mary Hildegard bought a chocolate donut with pink sprinkles. She closed her eyes while she chewed, not wanting anything to distract her from the greasy cake and sugary sweetness. It had been over forty years since she’d indulged in anything so frivolous. Sister Mary Hildegard crossed herself. Sipping coffee thick with … Continue reading The Nun’s Pockets
My Imaginerie
By Ken Gosse A Goosey Gander a quip What’s good for the gander is often a good gander at a goose. Pig, Pig, Duck! a senryu Don’t raise either eye looking for pie in the sky once pigs learn to fly. Boo Who! a quatrain A hippo doesn’t need to hide. When watching them, you … Continue reading My Imaginerie
A lot to think about over oatmeal, yogurt, and banana slices And Other Poems
By Peter A. Witt A lot to think about over oatmeal, yogurt, and banana slices In the zuihitsu form Old dog lies on the carpet legs running in place, perhaps trying to futility chase that cantankerous cat who pounced him from the bushes during our late evening walk. Paper person came early today, slung paper … Continue reading A lot to think about over oatmeal, yogurt, and banana slices And Other Poems
The Dance
By Jamie Johnson The words square dance around in my head, unfixed, and unable to tumble down my tongue with ease. I try to talk but only stutter; the weight of those words; the allemandes and do si dos keep it stuck. Then you appear and the frequency in my brain calms; no more, swing … Continue reading The Dance
From Soil to Dust
By Dan Shpyra The bright lights were blinding Oleksa; his thin arm wiped the sweat from the forehead. June's sun did not play favourites. The man's weary blue eyes were staring at the dark rocks and dirt beneath the worn boots. As he leant to grab the pickaxe, the copper cross slipped from his linen … Continue reading From Soil to Dust
Academy of the Heart And Mind 