By Okereke Emmanuel Chibuike The first time I saw my mother cry, I was seven.The world had thrown another weight on her back—a bill, a betrayal, something she didn’t name. But she wiped her tears, tied her headscarf tighter, and started dinner like the storm hadn’t touched her.She was a woman with fire—not just in … Continue reading Fire in Her Bones
Fright
By Shashank (This poem describes a journey of a young boy with a heart filled with confidence of youth, but he is to stumble if he makes wrong decisions nevertheless.) The path lies deserted in frontas he looks keenlywith no fright whatsoever.Trees by the borders stand tallas he smileswith the first drop of sweat struggling … Continue reading Fright
The Long Farewell
By Sixuan Wu This story was originally published both in print and online in Issue 41 of Apprentice Writer in 2023. She could never forget the look on the doctor’s face when her hologram flickered into the hospital. The sorrow was so obvious that even she—an AI assistant who had never quite grasped the delicacy … Continue reading The Long Farewell
August Summer Competition Nonfiction Winner: “The Heron” by C. Jane Swick
“No one should take a sunset for granted,” Mike says as we walk to the beach in our slickers. It’s starting to drizzle as the sun casts a golden glow over lengthening shadows. When we reach the ocean, it is boiling in a vast frothy soup rolling and stumbling upon itself in great white crests. … Continue reading August Summer Competition Nonfiction Winner: “The Heron” by C. Jane Swick
August Summer Competition Fiction Winner: “What the Canvas Revealed” by Farytude
Ironside was a town on the edge of boiling by the time August rolled in. By the third week of the month, the earth cracked like burnt bread. Windowpanes shimmered with trapped heat. Dogs wheezed in doorways, their eyes like dull marbles. The townspeople were exhausted and frustrated by the relentless heatwave that had dragged … Continue reading August Summer Competition Fiction Winner: “What the Canvas Revealed” by Farytude
August Summer Competition Poetry Winner: “Summer at the lake” by Rita McDermott
Originally published in Bards Across the Pond. Peering downward from the sky…A painted picture of lush green trees Sprouting up from the groundLike clumps of broccoli.A green garden surrounding a still body of water Pools of diamonds sparkling on the surface Courtesy of the sun’s radiant rays.Wooden structures jutting out from the shore Invading upon … Continue reading August Summer Competition Poetry Winner: “Summer at the lake” by Rita McDermott
Money Talks But Not To Me
By Debra J. White Money doesn’t grow on trees, nor is it in my bank account. I’m in my twilight years, recently turned seventy. I’ll probably die without a hefty stock portfolio, or wads of cash stashed underneath my bed. Just as well. I can’t take it with me beyond. Then again, no one else … Continue reading Money Talks But Not To Me
Dances With Raised Arms
By Brenda Mox The angel at the doorway moves in the wonder of worlds beyond time. Representative of some mystic glowing world of unreality, her voice rings vibrations into the soul like a trumpet, echoing in dark places of being.She shines moonlight on the darkness hovering on the edge of one’s consciousness.From the radiance of … Continue reading Dances With Raised Arms
To the Stars
By Cullin F. Morgan (Year 2151) Carl stood up from the booth and politely shook John’s hand. “Yeah, I’ll reach out! It was nice meeting you, too!” John slipped quietly out of the diner. “I’m not calling him,” said Carl under his breath, sitting back down at his table. He took a copy of Anna … Continue reading To the Stars
switching laundry at 12:09am
By Dominic Moore Faces shout my nameentering the place I played center stagebut now I perform in the audience.Rainy drive homeand a silent kiss on the cheekare my accompanying thoughts at curtain call.The walk upstairs grows longer, eventuallyreaching to the damp clothesthat have sat too long in the wash.Fistfuls of fabric enter the dryermy last … Continue reading switching laundry at 12:09am
Academy of the Heart And Mind 