By Craig Kirchner Originally Published in Chiron Review, Summer ‘24 Sparrows gathered on the veranda, we eavesdropped on nearby lovers, hand fed one another tapas, swigged lewd licks on Czech beer. Under the table you hiked your skirt, opened your thighs around my knee, animated codes with delicate hands,laughed about our first time. Surrounded by … Continue reading Dejeuner
Thread Count
By David Lavenda It’s a choice—or is it?I’m simultaneously the windshield and fly, already speeding toward it.White, oblong solid.100mg, stamped—miniature epitaph—designed to stop the hammeringbetween my ribsthat nails me to sheets—pillows, blankets.Taste of bitter promise,the throat constricts around what mustbe swallowed.I cave to gravity—the mattress learning my shape,iron on my tongue—the pill's aftertaste or just … Continue reading Thread Count
Haiku
By F.S. Blake Swollen riverbankscarry branches to new groundI drift but don’t sink.Next year could be worse,another autumn of pain,but hopefully peace.No more ornaments,after this year’s Christmas daysthey stay packed away.Bathed in dreamy light,I am alone on a beach,joined by my new dreams.weekend after next maybe we go ice skating till then we can text … Continue reading Haiku
Sea-Glass
By Ben Macnair A salt water wash.A deeper blue.A thousand different pieces.The original liquid it contained,only drops in an ocean,battered by time, and the crueltyof nature that lives by her own morality.The rubbish from ships,or too many romantics lookingfor answers in a message that nobody will read.A love letter, consigned to memory,all of the little … Continue reading Sea-Glass
The Last Punchline
By Joanne Johnson You were always quick with a jokeAlways with impeccable timingAs you teased about what would come nextForetelling the next line with a smirkWhen you entered the room you announcedHaving a story that would produce A raucous and resounding laughterTo even the unhappiest soulsIt was your signature that proceeded youEveryone anticipating jocular entertainment … Continue reading The Last Punchline
Origin
By Janet Belding Everyone gets born the same way, the name in the Bible. Well if I was written in there it was lost in the fire. We had no water to put it out and there was wind, no rain. I woke up one day and I was a man with no memories. I … Continue reading Origin
Before Dawn
By Oliver Kleyer Before dawn,I don’t have a name.It normally reappears with the sunrise,preferably on the railroad bridge,overlooking the town where I work,but fortunately, not live,sometimes starting the O,sometimes with the i.Before dawn, you could call me anything,there is a 50/50 chance I might answer.Before dawn, I sometimes think my nameis Adam & there is … Continue reading Before Dawn
Of Poppies and Peaches
By Jessica Ursell in the remotest region of Kyrgyzstana makeshift cribtenderly placedunder a treeits darkly silveredboughslow and ladenwith bountyvast fields of crimson poppiesin the distanceas far as the eye can seeand closerthose velvety softblushing globesof creamy rougedrupesPrunus persicatemptinga tiny totpink chubby armsoutstretchedopen mouthedtwin pearlsframed by rosebud lipsindustriously imprintingher markon all thewarm tawnypeachesshe welcomesinto her crib … Continue reading Of Poppies and Peaches
Gulliver’s Wife
By Lynn White First published in Visual Verse, January 2022 It is not commonly known that Gulliver had a wifebut she accompanied him on all his journeysand Lilliput was her favourite place.Swift never wrote about her.Perhaps he found her just to daring,even though she was careful to be on her best behaviourand hide her painted … Continue reading Gulliver’s Wife
The Market
By Eno Howl Walking through the market,I was eating a pomegranate when we met.You wore last year’s clothes,shoes cut from a stranger’s Coke bottle and string.The clack of plastic on stone,the wet crack of seeds in my teeth.You stopped level with my knee.No money. Only food.They had warned me about boys like you—painted burns,borrowed bandages.I … Continue reading The Market
Academy of the Heart And Mind 