By: Viviana Labarca I was born on the 28th of February. Had I come out just six hours later, I would have been born on leap day, destined to experience a quarter of the birthdays that most people experience. In that sense, I am fortunate. Birthdays are supposed to be joyful beginnings. To my … Continue reading Fortunate
Fireflies
By Grace Calvert She faced them, two shadowy figures. Painfully familiar. Which would she choose? The same as any other night. Which would she choose? Which would she choose? Would she choose? To choose. She had repeated it so many times; it barely seemed like a word anymore. Merely a concept. A shadow; forever lurking, … Continue reading Fireflies
Big Fight in FortReal Chapter 1
By Chaher Alzaman Chapter One 0. A flying punch pushed through the cold air. It missed, but the fight carried on. Now there were more cheering and rowdiness in the crowd. The fight heated up, and the crowd engulfed more crowd. More punches were thrown, and the crowd asked for more. Outrageously, one of the spectators seemed to be moving … Continue reading Big Fight in FortReal Chapter 1
Her Reality
By Elayna Davis-Mercer It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining in the sky and the air was filled with laughter as Maya and her friends lounged by the lake close to her home. Summer was coming to an end and they wanted to make memories and go on adventures before going back to … Continue reading Her Reality
What Lies Ahead
By Chaher Alzaman Someone might ask: Where am I right now? I am bit exhausted to speak. But I'll give it my best shot. I am at what seems to be a locker room of some sort. Wait a minute! I remember now. Just a while ago I was with my team - a … Continue reading What Lies Ahead
Jack and Mary
By Tess Mazzucchelli Jack and Mary started bringing their grandchildren, Nora and Aaron, to Mike’s Diner when they were infants. Jack had picked them up, one in each arm, and brought them over to the jukebox, their chubby palms pressed against the glass as he chose a song. Frank Sinatra had streamed out of the speakers … Continue reading Jack and Mary
Poems by Ryan Flanagan
Ansel Adams with Cameras for Hands Civil disobedience on Saturn again. Mommy’s ring finger is getting rather sore. When I walk with my feet we are someone else’s entourage. Bright lights in the sky like never blinking. Plum icebox Willie Carlos and broken pail Conrad. This vile archeology of hairballs. The Chrysler Building with wheels … Continue reading Poems by Ryan Flanagan
Recollection
By Anne Hicks Where am I again? The grayish blue walls and mild murmur of the people around me seem familiar, yet I can’t quite place it in my memory. A young woman is sitting near me, holding a glass of water. Her other hand holds a pill case, labelled “Donepezil.” Donepezil. Donepezil. Where … Continue reading Recollection
Capture the Flame
By Carrie Connel-Gripp The blue-white charge of magic coursed through the rope woven with silver and gold threads and the hair of the king’s four daughters. Geradonis paced on the west side of the pyre. As the Harvest Moon rose from behind the hills in front of him, the great orb of the sun descended … Continue reading Capture the Flame
Free Falling
By Åsa Muckosky We’re on our way to the Vancouver airport and Tom Petty’s song “Free Fallin” comes on the radio. This is no coincidence. I’ve been hearing it all weekend in my head. My husband and I are on our way back home from a whirlwind weekend trip of shopping for property in Salmon … Continue reading Free Falling
Academy of the Heart And Mind 