By Ginger Keller Gannaway Viv watched the large wall clock’s red second hand make its way toward twelve while she said one more Hail Mary before the lunch bell clanged. She slid her unused loose leaf papers into a folder and placed the morning’s textbooks in the metal cavern beneath her wooden desk. She straightened … Continue reading Period.
Reading at the Parlor
By Ken Gosse They decided the Reaper was truly a keeper,his poetry earning their membership’s yearning,a group which would meet once their days were completeyet before their last showing, while tears were still flowing.The prep nearly finished, with hopes undiminishedthat they’d read again to a group with a yenfor their poetry’s call which would clearly … Continue reading Reading at the Parlor
Nomenclature
By Richard Weaver Blue mountains rising, century after centuryawakening to fall again. To rise anew, yearning for a hand like rain waking from sleep, after dreaming in green water blackening beneath cypresses. A drowned moon afloat in its troubles. And hills of brazen angels. Blue mountains reigning. His first published poem appeared in Poetry Magazine … Continue reading Nomenclature
The Shape of Love
By Hossein Hakim Love is the longing to simply be near,To feel their presence when they're not here.A whisper missed, a silent room—Yet in your heart, their flowers bloom.Love is the pull of a gentle embrace,The ache in your arms for a familiar face.A brush of fingers, a warming skin,A quiet fire that glows within.Love … Continue reading The Shape of Love
A Dire Situation
By Craig Borri It was a sweltering August day, but that didn’t deter the three reporters waiting outside the gate. The gate was part of a ten-foot-tall fence enclosing a 2,000 acre forest preserve. Two lab assistants had just deposited several pounds of meat inside the fence, and their guide, Dr. Anne Phillips, had just … Continue reading A Dire Situation
July Hybrid Contest: Gold Winner: “The Final Credits” by Sarah Wolfe
The Final Credits Directed by A sentimental, young soul Written by A silver-haired body with liver-spotted hands and shaky knees, lips that can’t speak out loud but whisper to the mind Produced by Mama and Tata; two immigrants with one busted suitcase. Pregnant with a child and a new, bustling city Cast (in order of … Continue reading July Hybrid Contest: Gold Winner: “The Final Credits” by Sarah Wolfe
July Hybrid Contest: Silver Winner: “Acer” by Khoi Pham
Do you still remember my old Acer? It was the first computer I bought with my own money after leaving my hometown.When it broke beyond repair a few years ago, I had to store it in our attic.I’d forgotten it was there until this year's spring, when I ran a recovery tool on the old drive. … Continue reading July Hybrid Contest: Silver Winner: “Acer” by Khoi Pham
July Hybrid Contest: Bronze Winner: “tres destellos en la oscurida” by L. Simplón
just north of the Pillar of Yunus, the three hundred and thirty-third year before the Incarnation, as related by the raven Pytho, to Apollo I. Orgulous is the voice of Wind, unheard by the air of Apellaiios, invulnerable to His voiced blows, as is the air everywhere. Rarefied by blood, inured to the barren cold … Continue reading July Hybrid Contest: Bronze Winner: “tres destellos en la oscurida” by L. Simplón
Mulţumesc
By Kaleb M Dufel Morning comesSleep finally did.She wakes me with thevoice of the old worldthe voice that carried with her a dream-a dream i’ve woken up from.We eat breakfast togetherI can’t bear to eat with the others.She tells me about her homeI welcome her to mine.Later, I dance along an ivory street dotted with … Continue reading Mulţumesc
the desperation of neat little boxes
By Kevin Scheepers The desperation of neat little boxes,The despair of perfect labels;Stable entities that dare not change without prior notice.A moth disinterested in distinguishing simulacra from simulacrum,The dragon could not take such liberties.The unintentional incantations you utter,Billets-doux to yourself, remaining unanswered.Couldn't reach you over there on planet apathy,Burnt the curtains for warmth; a useful … Continue reading the desperation of neat little boxes
Academy of the Heart And Mind 