By Andrew Nickerson In military tactics/strategy, no name is more revered than Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinese general/philosopher whose masterpiece, The Art of War, is considered the pinnacle of brilliance. Touching on virtually every aspect of conflict, it’s consistently won over entire generations of fans, not only for its no-nonsense approach, but for its unique … Continue reading Sun Tzu and Entertainment: The Iron Giant’s Fall of Mansley
Anthem
By Ryder Smith An Aromantic Love Story Told Out of Order for Dramatic Effect September I’ve never experienced a love like this before. His perfectly tamed, flowing brunette hair. His round, almost frameless golden glasses signifying that he’s clearly queer. I have no idea what his relationship history is, but that’s not important; I know. … Continue reading Anthem
Losing #30
By Lee Ann Stevens I lost my first body part soon after I turned 70, a milestone that made it hard for me to deny the advancing years. It was number 30, a six-year molar, which means it had been in my mouth since first grade, when I had just learned to read and still … Continue reading Losing #30
Pretty Is as Pretty Does
By Kim Hayes My mother and I are sitting in her living room, talking about what I can’t remember. Out of nowhere, she says, “You know, Kim, you would be so much prettier with contacts. Why don’t you wear them anymore? I’ll pay for them.” It is the fall of 2017 and I’m in New … Continue reading Pretty Is as Pretty Does
The Dark Side of Albert: Einstein and Mileva Marić, his First Wife
By David R. Topper Albert Einstein was the most photographed scientist of the 20th century. The scope of emotions depicted range from the serious to the silly: from looking like a secular saint with hands folded and deep in contemplation of supposedly solemn thoughts, to the image hanging in front of me on the bulletin … Continue reading The Dark Side of Albert: Einstein and Mileva Marić, his First Wife
Reflections
By Todd Adams I was watering our purple phlox with an absent mind, ruminating on things that might have been or worrying about those to come, when I caught sight of a dark shape flashing around my legs. I stood stock still, fearing it was a giant wasp or some other stinging creature, but then … Continue reading Reflections
Winter Competition Nonfiction Winner: “Winter” by Lily Ogden
I grew up in England. In a place that knew winter only for a brief time. Snow was a holiday, a moment that never lingered. Wet snow that soaked through knitted mittens. Hastily rolled snowmen that had grass and mud still clinging to them. A furrow left behind that quickly melted. We thought that Spring … Continue reading Winter Competition Nonfiction Winner: “Winter” by Lily Ogden
History of Burned Books
By Richard Smith Books are inherently human. They capture human struggle, present human ideas, and promote human expression. As there has been division on how to handle differing and problematic facets of humanity, division in handling different and problematic media also exists. People have turned to censorship to solve various issues, and in the case … Continue reading History of Burned Books
Dreams Within Dreams
By Earl Smith Dreams Within DreamsEarl Smith It was a sunny wintery morning. The air was crisp and bracing. At the edge of a forest clearing, Wolverine sat atop a moss-covered log, his sharp gaze fixed on the open meadow beyond the tree line. Just above him a sleek, inky-black Raven perched on a low-hanging … Continue reading Dreams Within Dreams
Plastic Flowers
By Charmaine Arjoonlal Vanity of vanity Vanity of vanity... All is vanity. Ecclesiastes 1:14 Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto I DODGED THROUGH the din and smells and shoppers to purchase another pair of pants. I wanted her to find me beautiful. I wanted her to love me. I’d finally have a place. In front of a … Continue reading Plastic Flowers
Academy of the Heart And Mind 