Beverly M. Collins's photos have appeared on the front and back cover of San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly, her book, Mud in Magic, and on the internal pages of Spectrum and Lummox 8 publication.
Honorable Mention Piece from the Short Fiction Contest: Death Comes to Aishbagh by Divyanka Sharma
I was getting ready for work when mom told me of grandma’s death. Ambulances were rushing to Beth Israel Medical Center, urgently piercing the morning air with their siren call for space. Ubers and Lyfts and cabs were angrily honking in the 9am rush hour; East Village in New York was ablaze with indifferent and … Continue reading Honorable Mention Piece from the Short Fiction Contest: Death Comes to Aishbagh by Divyanka Sharma
Third Place Short Fiction Contest: Animal Plots and Schemes by Linda Imbler
Jasper Beorn, my Sphynx cat, is an ancient soul. He is also extremely intelligent. He lives with me in a small cottage house along with his brother, the rescue dog Maurice, who is, through no fault of his own, a few pickles short of a hamburger. Maurice is not the reason J comes across as … Continue reading Third Place Short Fiction Contest: Animal Plots and Schemes by Linda Imbler
Second Place Short Fiction Contest: The Long Lost Maiden Of Light by Luisa Reyes
Once upon a time, there was a lovely young maiden who was fair of skin, dark of hair, startlingly intelligent, and warm of heart. She dwelt in a castle, but rarely did she ever behold the finery of the grand ballrooms nor the gilded halls of the music rooms. For her status was that of … Continue reading Second Place Short Fiction Contest: The Long Lost Maiden Of Light by Luisa Reyes
First Place Short Fiction Contest: Lost and Found by Colleen M. Tice
Part I The archeology class has been on the dig site for two months. They had been studying abroad on the outskirts of the Island Aswan. The group’s campground is on the edge of the east banks of the Nile River. Professor Alexander Bakas received permission to dig on the site for three months. His … Continue reading First Place Short Fiction Contest: Lost and Found by Colleen M. Tice
Poems by Beverly M. Collins
Moss Walls covered in a green growth that moves Slow and clings due to code. Land barnacles, much like those found in the ocean, alive and holding on. Present but fearful that to float or sail would spell a sure end. What is the human expression of fear/cling? Does it show itself only in … Continue reading Poems by Beverly M. Collins
Poems by Alice-Catherine Jennings
How like a winter hath my absence been … Water witching my way to the river I unclasp the iron brackets of the clapboard gate— the smell of brown green. The estuary renews its force while the lichen pimples the slabs of stone at the water’s edge. Crescano crescano crescano églantier, ephedra & … Continue reading Poems by Alice-Catherine Jennings
Unlikely Swan
By Rosanne Trost Maisie walked into the ballet academy, ungracefully plopped herself down on the bench, removing her pink shoes, white orthotics and pink socks. Smelling her socks, she laughingly said, “Oooh, stinky.” She raised her shirt, black with “Ballet Academy” printed in white letters. She struggled to pull the top over her head, refusing … Continue reading Unlikely Swan
The Hike
By Dianne Moritz Walking through forests of lost years, you dropped small clues, like Hansel’s breadcrumbs, leading the way back. Ravenous, I promptly sweeten harsh words, raw truths, as one would a bitter fruit. We continued down those pot-holed trails, rock strewn paths, muddy lanes, hoping to reignite young, long ago love…. Dianne Moritz's … Continue reading The Hike
Change of Heart
By Dianne Moritz Melissa closed the card, letter inside, and placed the envelope on her mantle. Sunshine filtered through the windows, bathing her in its radiant warmth. She thought of Mark and wondered if she could ever forgive him, trust him again. “Don’t go there!” she thought, then grabbed her wallet and headed out … Continue reading Change of Heart
Academy of the Heart And Mind 