Translated from Portuguese by Bernardo Villela Translator's Note: “Sonnet XIII” by Olavo Bilac was originally published in 1888 is one of the best known and highly regarded poetical works in the Portuguese language. Olavo Bilac (December 16, 1865 – December 28, 1918) was a Brazilian Parnassian poet, journalist and translator. Alongside Alberto de Oliveira and … Continue reading Soneto XIII de Via Lactea by Olavo Bilac
Under the Spell of Love
By Alex Andy Phuong A romantic retreatCan be a real treat,Especially since A sense of passionPuts love into action,And fall under the spellOf wishes from a wishing well,For time will tellIf love could withstandThe test of time,And never underestimate How love is sublime,And the way toAppreciate todayComes from the loss of hate,So choose to love … Continue reading Under the Spell of Love
Believe… The Heart Must Know
By Heymy Patiño Martínez While in México, my mother sent my father photo booth photographs. Of us. Of her. Border separation, steel fenced. Erected, engineered to digitize the family. In school kids tell us we are weird. Not because we are, but because we are fatherless. Left. Alone. No head of household.I was born truly … Continue reading Believe… The Heart Must Know
Sun Crossing
By Frances Leitch SUN SONG In the Sun Songthe swallows flytwo abreastCutting across the skyThe bubbling brookdances on mossy rocksPlaying endlesslythe tune of laughterBuck and doeCross green grassin the meadowAnd butterfliesSpread their wings to the sunWarm themselvesand then are goneSun Song Summertime So light and fullBillowy white cloudsRoam across The sky of blueUpturned faces of … Continue reading Sun Crossing
Anchor
By Ashby Neterer Since wild winds have gone and restless rains have ceased and starry skies broke into dawn, you cut your anchor free. Now that storm has passed, and waves wound down their rage, you broke the chain that bound you fast at your most needful stage. But when the clouds collect, and you, … Continue reading Anchor
Seasons
By Vern Fein You can’t slip and fall on sunshinewhich reveals my prejudiceagainst Old Man Winterwho I would trip whenhe wasn’t lookingcause him to falland break his anklelike my boss didon that black ice at the airportwhich he couldn’t see because of the sun glare.Oh shoot.You have to be carefulevery season. A recent octogenarian, Vern … Continue reading Seasons
Beauty and the Feast
By Alex Andy Phuong Bounty full of beautyA feast for the sensesTaste a colorful rainbowAs a way to understand howThe power of nowReveals the gift of the presentAnd being alive,And after expressing gratitude For sustenance,Have a hopeful attitudeAs a way to seeHow to improve reality,For elegance and refinement Might reign supreme,But the necessity of foodReveals … Continue reading Beauty and the Feast
Mountain Ash
By Gregg Norman it stood alone lakesidewith only tules close bybut back a bittall Burr Oakslooked over itwith favorthere in no-man’s-landwhere none but spiritsand gods held swaywe thought thenas people dothat it might doto fill a spotby the cottagethat needed a treesensibly if notdesperatelyso we dug it outthough its rootsdefied our bladescut off at the … Continue reading Mountain Ash
Yousmarg Meadows
By Shamik Banerjee Yousmarg meadows, dressed in dew,Tell your flowers' mottled crew,"Welcome him as one of you,"And here I'll gladly stay.Butterflies, the Redstart's calls,Rivulets and waterfalls,Conifers, and white-ridged wallsWill greet me night and day.If you can, among your blooms,Make for me a little room,It will save me from the gloomThat laps the worldly bay. Shamik … Continue reading Yousmarg Meadows
Luther’s Story and Lydia’s Sampler
By John Ziegler Luther’s Story The aroma of white cheddar, and bread, warm on the palm,the joke about Leiderkrantz.His father’s long lip over smokey teeth,white shirt, trimmed nailssmooth hands of a baker.The woman in the fox fursipping camomile in the dark restaurant,the iron sounds of the night across the river.The barber’s chair,the fragrant foam, collarless … Continue reading Luther’s Story and Lydia’s Sampler
Academy of the Heart And Mind 