By Dianne Moritz Mother carefully snipped a small, green cutting from her friend’s lush yard, set it to root in an old jam jar. We kids marveled, as fragile shoots spouted, buds of leaves unfurled, like baby fists, in sunlight. Sometime later, Mother planted the tiny sapling in the fertile Iowa soil by our backyard … Continue reading Our Weeping Willow
I must have done something right and Other Poems
By Ursula McCabe I must have done something right never was I bored at the Michigan farm that held me clapboard tight in the old house’s arms every June grandpa drove his silver blue mercury down to Illinois to pick me up grandma gritting her teeth as he sped past all the flat land with … Continue reading I must have done something right and Other Poems
Motion Picture
By Anthony Ward We watch movies for magic to escape reality, Turning in on ourselves instead of looking out to the earth Where miracles are happening all around, In a world of wonder, Illuminated by a single golden glare Amidst billions of stars borne of millions of galaxies In an infinite space of swathing darkness. … Continue reading Motion Picture
Witchy Halloween and Other Poems
By Michael Lee Johnson Witchy Halloween Inside this late October 31st night, this poem turns into a pumpkin. Animation, something has gone devilishly wrong with my imagery. I take the lid off the pumpkin’s head light the pink candles inside. Demons, cry, crawl, split, fly outsides — escape, through the pumpkin’s eyes. I’m mixed in … Continue reading Witchy Halloween and Other Poems
Ciaran J. McLarnon’s New Shores
We are happy to share the Ciaran J. McLarnon, a previous contributor on our website, has announced a new novel New Shores. Find out more about this below: new-shores_os-2Download
Hedge Funds and Fine Line
By Stephen Kingsnorth Hedge Funds Where pastures, crops were once enclosed - remember acts from history days - we hedged our bets with layered edge, a folded hem, first tacked, then sown with berried seeds, gin-runny sloes. That edging served as travel routes, safe paths to navigate through space, for isolate, connected ways, where open … Continue reading Hedge Funds and Fine Line
The Clouds
By Peace Nkeiruka Maduako The clouds they dance, They dance in patterns of white, They drift from here to there And act like we're not there. The clouds they dance, They dance and call a name, And if the name is yours The day it's yours to keep. The clouds they dance, They dance for … Continue reading The Clouds
Perforation
By Mehreen Ahmed My time was up. The clock had stopped. My stilly pupils stared. Cold. My body fell like filbert. Stiff. It occurred at the stroke of twelve midnight when the hours froze. I rose to a height, and saw my inert body, once conscious and full of lights, had now been sucked out … Continue reading Perforation
Wounds Transcend
By Moola Veereswara Rao I know your wounds... but quit ye not the noble route. Remember how a silent reed became a flute. Don't kick them out, because they're all just lifeless stones. But how became a rock into a sculpture...moot. Ye don't concede to whetted darts of mean critique. Ye watch this road that … Continue reading Wounds Transcend
Don’t Try Anything
By Mahathi The days of Kentish fire are over. Your whole body has hackles. No way you can hightail. Our newest friend Covid is too brobdingnag and in sanguinolency. She is roughhousing the whole human race. Before this tiniest new giant on earth you are just a Lilliput. Your intransigence and your mummery wont work. … Continue reading Don’t Try Anything
Academy of the Heart And Mind 