By Ezekiel Angela Iyeh Birds sang porch songs no more when the earth swallowed a woman, a heart as sweet as melon. Stillness framed the hearts of her sons and daughter. Dawn came wobbling, like the rolling of pages in the wind, summoning the spirit of sorrow with dark clouds as light glowed away like … Continue reading At Forlorn Days
Steps Away from Pragmatism
By Thaddeus Lee There’s a place where all of us go. It’s not far from here. Simply a few steps from the corner store and a block or so from Times Square, and you’ll be there with us. A place to be free. A lush landscape of green hills overlapping each other until they meet … Continue reading Steps Away from Pragmatism
White Rains and Other Poems
By Lorraine Caputo White Rains I. Afternoons the heavens grey, layer upon thick layer of looming clouds, thunder crumpling then silenced by the rain that dampens lanes, streaks white-washed walls of Ciudad Blanca. II. Sometimes the thunder awaits the dusk to sweep the streets clean of another day. III. One late day, as the sun … Continue reading White Rains and Other Poems
The Pickle Jar and Other Poems
By John T. Walsh Jr. The Pickle Jar There was a jar without a label on a mantle on the wall Care was always taken to insure it didn’t fall…. Gramp said it held treasures that I couldn’t see at all That night he pulled the sofa out with a night-light in the hall “Lie … Continue reading The Pickle Jar and Other Poems
Leeches
By Jim Bates It was a hot August dawn. We were on the city dock, dangling our feet above the water. The sun was rising orange above the trees. The lake stretched out in front of us, waves rippling with a few ducks floating nearby. I hardly noticed any of it. Davy had driven us … Continue reading Leeches
How to Make Happiness
By Amrita Valan Can you tell me? How to be bouncy old-fashioned Resilient? And so happy? Somewhere inside The springs got broken And now I fall so flat So very flat inside A cardboard cut out. Walking around Like the shadow of myself On bare non reflective walls. Tinkering with well being I polish the … Continue reading How to Make Happiness
Shahtoosh
By Reena Kapoor Originally published in Literary Yard This is the third time in three months that she’s called. I hesitate. I want to help. Gosh, I’d love to help. What an example, a woman like her could set! Especially in our community, our well placed diaspora, our model minority. But I’ve been in this … Continue reading Shahtoosh
Tree of love and two lovers and the sea
By NIGHTMAN Tree of love She told me once: “I love you like a fruit attached to a tree As it’s nourished everyday— As it is safe and warm during the cold So shall I not love you until we rot away together?” Oh dear, OH my sweetheart— You have understood love but in a … Continue reading Tree of love and two lovers and the sea
One Ninety One and Other Poems
By Peter Mladinic One Ninety One The road between Cutler and Lubec is gnarly. You’re the only traveler on it, that’s how you feel, solitary, like the road does and doesn’t want you there. On both sides, thin, sturdy, twisted dim thickets. You don’t want to stop on the roadside and go in. The thickets … Continue reading One Ninety One and Other Poems
LifeMart
By Susan Cleveland "Welcome to LifeMart. How can I help you?" Maggie inquired. Her first customer was a young man in his late teens. His blonde hair, clear complexion, and strong build emanated the look of good health. He approached her with a sheepish grin and eyes full of hope. "This will probably sound strange, … Continue reading LifeMart
Academy of the Heart And Mind 