By Daryel A. Groom Ronny was 7 years old when his grandfather Rodolfo passed away. Dr. Ramirez had come to the house while the village of Marcala was just awakening to the warm tropical sun. He said he had a heart attack in his sleep. This sudden death was unexpected since grandpa was healthy despite … Continue reading Cemetery Hill
Let Sleeping Gators Lie
By Lesley L. Smith When I opened the front door, my go-bag on my back, the humidity was as dense as an anchor. The scent of rot and dead fish assailed me. Ick. I never seemed to get used to the smell; it took me by surprise every time I opened the door. The 'Welcome … Continue reading Let Sleeping Gators Lie
The Gallery
By Thomas Philbrick Edgar folded into the armchair and tried to remember the first time he had looked in the gallery window. He had been young, barely old enough to know what he was looking at, and his mother had held him up so that he could look at one of the seascapes behind the … Continue reading The Gallery
Life in a Bottle and Other Poems
By Rita McDermott Life in a Bottle I could always rely on you To be there for me Through thick and thin. You celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, births, And many other special moments with me. We even celebrated every day of the week for fun. You were there on somber days too To comfort me. … Continue reading Life in a Bottle and Other Poems
The Incident of the Girl from the Future (or Present?)
By Marcos Fizzotti It’s very well known that today’s society is still plagued by lots of past traditions. Certainly, one of the most ridiculous and pointless one is the good ole debutante party. Unfortunately, my family digs this sort of thing, and here I am, in this big ballroom at some godforsaken place somewhere in … Continue reading The Incident of the Girl from the Future (or Present?)
Dragonslayer
By Rachel Tucker Kytra dropped down on the soft forest floor, exhausted. She hadn’t slept in days and it was beginning to catch up with her. Looking at the bow and arrow beside her, she sighed in disgust. Her village was counting on her and she felt that she’d let them down. It had been four days that … Continue reading Dragonslayer
The Glittery Concoction
By Manaly Talukdar The chemist assured me that the sachets of powders will work. I have heard that his unconventional ingredients have proven to be of great assistance. “His medicine has helped my son socialize better in school” A friend of mine spared her secret one evening when she visited for tea. The witchy chemist’s … Continue reading The Glittery Concoction
A Wedding Backpacker
By Ganesh Rajgopal When it comes to the latest fashion trends or appropriate dress codes for events, I am either clueless or indifferent. But even I know that you don’t gate-crash a wedding in T-shirt and shorts. With a backpack completing the ensemble? I had the privilege to do just that, much to the amusement … Continue reading A Wedding Backpacker
7th November 2021 and Other Poems
By Amy Irani 7th November 2021 Seventh November 1965 The day we united for life For good or for bad To take all in our strife To love n to cherish with utmost love We were husband n wife Today is our fifty sixth year just seventy three days back left for yr heavenly abode … Continue reading 7th November 2021 and Other Poems
Christina
By Wendy Taylor When I was seven, I decided I would call my daughter Christina. My daughter was not going to have a boring name like mine. I could never understand why my parents called me Julie. Why, when there were so many millions of wonderful names in the world did, they choose Julie? Plus, … Continue reading Christina
Academy of the Heart And Mind 