By Zary Fekete The town of Cokato is almost exactly halfway across the state of Minnesota on Highway 12. The name Cokato comes from a Siouan word meaning “amid”, helpful for orienting the original indigenous travelers across the territory many years ago before the railroad was built. Despite the encroachment of modernity, the land in … Continue reading Winter Deer
Creative Odyssey
By Alex Andy Phuong Discover with wonderWithout being torn asunder,And surrender to the powerOf a lifelong journeyThat uses hours that are ours,And utilize the power of creativity To create an enduring legacyIn which the travels within the odysseyCan become as beautiful as epic poetry,And realize that living within realityInvolves having a role within societyThat involves … Continue reading Creative Odyssey
Spring’s Necklace and Golden Compass
By JoyAnne O'Donnell Spring’s Necklace Spring whispers flowersEarth’s special colorsGiving us loveWith each fascinating twinkleIlluminating with graceGentle breeze of lightRainbows of showering loveBlue sky of springGlistening rain lays on the petalsCharming necklaces of bloomsRooms of views in many heart’s gardens. Golden Compass Golden light Giving us suns sightPure hands guiding Maps to follow us homeTo … Continue reading Spring’s Necklace and Golden Compass
Into the Light
By Debbie Robertson “Mom, I’m home.” Luz clicked shut the heavy oak door and gently dropped her faux fur backpack on the bench nearby. A stack of mail, as usual, was piled on the table in the hall, but there was something in it that caught her eye: something pink. Her hands grabbed at the … Continue reading Into the Light
Family of Flares
By Haydn Wells A family of unorganized lettersAs some are jumbled, laying amongst others that are kept;Some letters agree upon the otherWhile some are merely checking on another.Some do not know the difference between right and wrong While others know but are too headstrong to admit their wrongs.Some do not care what the other letter … Continue reading Family of Flares
Stay Put
By Akinkuolie Steve The harmattan wind roared through the village of Omoloro, dragging with it a shroud of dust that veiled the sun and set men coughing into their elbows. Women crouched low over their mortar and pestle, pounding yam with a rhythm older than memory, their faces lined not just with age but with … Continue reading Stay Put
aren’t you cold?
By Jade Metrillo When Won’s brother calls to ask how he’s doing, he says he’s doing good. He talks about getting new glasses and contacts, about the stray cats in his neighborhood he sees on his walks, and the rains they’ve been having lately. He doesn’t tell him about the reason why he needed new … Continue reading aren’t you cold?
Hypothermic Dream
By Titoxz I In the void where shadows whisper,Where light refracts through fractured faith,A silent dialogue—dissonant, distant—Emerges between the echo of a godAnd the ghost of a penitent heart.Did I, in my spirals of doubt,Unravel the threads of our covenant,Or was it You, who, in the stillness,Withdrew the breath of divinity,Leaving me to suffocateIn the … Continue reading Hypothermic Dream
Dream on Dreamer
By Timothy Law Once upon a time, I used to dreamI would imagine finding a princess both fair and sweetI would make her my wife and love her foreverOur happily ever after, or so I thoughtNow I am older, I understandPrincesses don’t fall for guys like me, shy, reserved, quiet as can beBut, I have … Continue reading Dream on Dreamer
A Library’s Secrets
By Mattie Brown It was just another quiet night for Sam, the night guard at the Alderbrook Public Library. This being only his fourth day on the job, he is starting to become familiar with the twitching broken screen of the security camera computer and the eerie silence of the empty library. The only noise … Continue reading A Library’s Secrets
Academy of the Heart And Mind 