The night beforedancing with the darkdry ice smokeand heartbeat musicflashing lightsa haze of alcoholand drugsThe morning aftera car barely stopsat the cornerhis vampire make upsmudged and sadstruggling to get homebefore dawnsafe for another year Laura Dennis is inspired by people, moments and sunrises. She has been published in various anthologies and online.
13 Days of Halloween: The Language Between by Carrie Farrar
I. Ursula, Who Heard Me DifferentlyYou didn’t flinch when I spoke in patternfingers drumming the table’s edge,the air shimmering between syllables.You heard the meaning inside the rhythm,not the mess of words around it.Your gaze was a small cathedralwhere my noise found room to breathe.Even silence widened for us,its wings brushing the walls of your patience.You … Continue reading 13 Days of Halloween: The Language Between by Carrie Farrar
A Huntress Who Locks in
By Douglas J. Lanzo Flashing ambered orange, her eyespierce tall savannah grass,spotting shadows of horned beastsgrazing contentedly under mattedshade of acacia trees,as she tracks on padded pawsthrough yellow-seeded grass.Downwind of the herdthe undetected hunterflexes her spine and accelerates, pulsing with each clawed bound gripping sun-scorched earthas she powers quickening strides,turning in tight arc toward the … Continue reading A Huntress Who Locks in
The Gravity of Human Hands
By Mohit Saini \We are the species that names the stars,then counts their worth in coin and scars.We build our homes with borrowed stone,and call the dust beneath us "own."The same hand carving sacred artwill sign the orders, tear apart.The voice that rocks a child to sleepwill chant for war when passions leap.Yet in the … Continue reading The Gravity of Human Hands
Turnips in Southern Tennessee Still
By Michael Lee Johnson The full moon illuminates a dense coniferous forest and a path winding between the trunks of tall pines. The moonlight is divided into rays, covered by the tops of pine trees In Tennessee, the shadows of the southernwooden structures stalled off the narrowhighway and came to an abrupt end.Lost in the … Continue reading Turnips in Southern Tennessee Still
B*I*N*G*O*
By P.S. Nolf The G67 ball flees down the aisle, Bouncing off legs of tables and chairs and humans.Chased by hordes of tripping and skipping and flippingTigers, tuxedos, Siamese, and shorthairs. The kittens have gone to war.Too young to jump, humans help the littles to table tops. There they discover the best toys.Skittles likes to … Continue reading B*I*N*G*O*
Against All Stars
By Aykut Tufekli No more solitude to you, since I’m hereWith all my care that you will feelLook at the sky, all those starsNever will it shine as bright as your eyesNo words could tell the beauty of your heartIt must be hard to be both cute and smartThrough every dream, through near or farYou’ll … Continue reading Against All Stars
Gratitude
By Anonymous Like the sun that greets the dawn,Your words brought light when hope was gone.A gentle breeze, a steady flame,You made joy dance when I heard my name.Your poem flew like wings of grace,Took me to a peaceful place.By rivers calm and forests wide,I felt your kindness at my side.So here I send my … Continue reading Gratitude
September Autumn Competition Poetry Co-Winner: “An Evening in the Park” by Carissa Coane
Like torches held aloft, a patchwork of copper and gold treesdapple the terrain. Merciless, a sudden gust sweeps through,stripping the boughs,sending a storm of color whirling to the ground. A lone jogger slows to a walk,bewitched by the dried leaves’ crunch beneath his every step.Children kick through mounds of fallen foliage —scarves trailing, breath visible,voices … Continue reading September Autumn Competition Poetry Co-Winner: “An Evening in the Park” by Carissa Coane
September Autumn Competition Poetry Co-Winner: “Autumn Vibes” by Mary Bone
Autumn declares her glory withvibrant hues.The view is spectacular for a while.The trees are clothed for a time.The next season won’t be so gentle,when cold air blows in and stripsthe beauty away leaving a stark reality.Winter’s breath will soon arrive. Mary Bone has been writing poetry and short stories since childhood. Some of her poems … Continue reading September Autumn Competition Poetry Co-Winner: “Autumn Vibes” by Mary Bone
Academy of the Heart And Mind 