By Leigh-Anne Burley John Henry looks up into his mother’s face as his plump fingers tug at her billowing skirt, pulling her towards the shoreline. She smiles at him and then turns a troubling gaze toward the ocean and the vastness beyond. While building sandcastles, she tells him his father was a hero fighting for … Continue reading The Limp
Death of a Mountaineer
By Rod Raglin They found your body on the third day. It was where I told them it would likely be, a treacherous spot at the bottom of the gulley you had to descend before the final push to the summit. At this time of year, it’s in constant shadow, slopes coated with ice, a … Continue reading Death of a Mountaineer
Turning Fifty-Seven and Other Poems
By Julia Vaughan Turning Fifty-Seven Acknowledging Judith Wright’s Turning Fifty As I drink my coffee in the early morning sun I taste my fifty-seven years. Pure joy, chaos, terror and fun Girl to woman, so many tears. At 7, walking home from Pembi Dam, all alone, Through a bog, stepping with intent, Choosing grassy clumps, … Continue reading Turning Fifty-Seven and Other Poems
Ordinary and Other Poems
By Virginia Riedman-Dangler Ordinary “You can find something truly important in an ordinary minute.” Mitch Albom It seemed like an ordinary day, and yet an array of things brought me unexpected joy as if watching a child with a new toy. There was laundry to sort, and cloths to fold, dishes to clean while deciding where … Continue reading Ordinary and Other Poems
Jason Was Lost in a Parallel World
By Saul Greenblatt Two theoretical physicists, Jason Dunn and Joan Keene, sat at a table in the university cafeteria discussing the theory that there are parallel universes. "Martin, do you think it’s possible that there might be a parallel world or many parallel worlds? Imagine that there is a parallel world where there is another … Continue reading Jason Was Lost in a Parallel World
Two Poems in a Haze
By Ellie Stewart Vertigo The Earth turns too fast for the world to catch up The seasons shift leaving lovers, allies, neighbors, strangers, swiveling apart What were we? My head turns too fast for me to remember I spin, you stay. You’re there lingering and then I’m gone. Evanescence You were there, We were here. … Continue reading Two Poems in a Haze
Overrated and Other Poems
By Anthony Ward Overrated Summer is the time of year most find relaxing. But I find it tiring. Too much buzzing and busying around. Too many bodies sprawled across the ground. While the heat’s too hot to warm to. Pride is the peace of mind most of us hope for. Yet I find it induces … Continue reading Overrated and Other Poems
Industrial Fruit
By Michael Theroux In our food, in our bodies our clothes, our buildings in the Air, Water, Earth all come from the Fire We unmake our home and make the Machine and making, create this deadly residue Splinters so fine no needle will serve in competent hands to come to the rescue What have we … Continue reading Industrial Fruit
Helium
By Jim Bates I’ll never forget my first helium balloon. I got two of them for my second birthday. Two red ones, my favorite color. My grandpa gave them to me. “Here you go, Lonny,” he said, smiling. “Enjoy.” I did. My grandpa loved helium-filled balloons. Not those mylar ones with sayings on them like … Continue reading Helium
The Miserable
By Tammy B. Tsonis I was born to be miserable like my mother and her mother before her. I was five when I discovered my destiny. I ran toward the kitchen for my favorite snack– a hostess twinkie - and saw my mother crying, tears rolling down her cheeks as she held a dirty mop … Continue reading The Miserable
Academy of the Heart And Mind 