By Stephen Mead Dove-gray of course, another peace-pearlthe sheen of these streets,the droplets speckling screens & panesthrough the sounds of some near-slumber -this twittering of birds behind that highway,those tires sizzling to distance& then again, lemon air,the rain thrumming over the petalsin pockets of quiet I feel with shut eyes,the lids as wings vowing today, … Continue reading Sunday Rain
Four Spring Haiku
By Jim Bates Purple ConeflowerMonarch butterfly alightsDouble delightful.After somber rainPretty morning glories bloomUnexpected gift.Belief they will growCarrot seeds planted with careFaith in Nature's hands.Woodland stream flowingWhispering sweet trickling songsNature's lullaby. Jim lives in a small-town twenty miles west of Minneapolis, Minnesota. His stories and poems have appeared in over three hundred publications. “Resilience” a collection … Continue reading Four Spring Haiku
The Child Who Lived in Books
By Elanur Williams I am looking for that bright-eyed childwhose words whispered spells hidden between the shelves, who spent afternoons scavenging the tall stacks for stories, leavesrustling in the half-light. Elanur Williams is a teacher who has taught in elementary schools and at adult learning centers. She writes from New York, where she lives with her … Continue reading The Child Who Lived in Books
Where I find my poems
By Oliver Kleyer At the bottom Of my teacup. Between the lines Of my diary. In all the places thatI go to when I sleep. In a bird’s nest In the forest.On the wings ofThe year’s first butterfly.In the pages ofMy old fairy tale book. In the mirror Of your eyes. Oliver Kleyer is a … Continue reading Where I find my poems
Sleep Eludes Me
By Michael De Rosa Sleep eludes me.Every minute seems to have more than sixty seconds.Seconds take their time to slide away.The night is still, but not my mind.Katydids had ceased their chirping.But not the buzzing of my thoughts.Reliving the worst of times.All my shortcomings, failures. In all their color and sound.Did I really say that, … Continue reading Sleep Eludes Me
Fox Robe
By John Ziegler She called it the fox robe which it wasn’t.I found it in the steamer trunk in her atticwrapped in brown butcher paper.It was more of a blanket.Eight fox pelts with glass eyes, a hint of fine yellow teeth.Unrolled, it released the aroma of moth ballsintended to prevent moths from eating the foxes.The … Continue reading Fox Robe
Making a Difference
By Lewis Brett Smiler Mr. Erdofi could not recall how many millions he had donated over the past twenty years. However, there was no place where his philanthropy was more evident than his hometown. He had been honored numerous times for his local contributions, but not everyone was impressed. Wayne Thompson, an old high school … Continue reading Making a Difference
My Mask and I
By Winnie Louise Sjoquist I’m told that I must open up my heartInstead of keeping it buried down deep The world is loud, selfish, and meanSo it’s easier to put my soul to sleep They say I must speak more cheerfully But they smile with swords in handWeapons garnished with roses But they still all … Continue reading My Mask and I
Bathed in Stars, The Dancer as a Shadow, and LOML
By lilith connor Bathed in StarsThe Dancer as as ShadowLOML lilith connor is a teenage girl with a deep passion for art, writing, and all things creative. She spends her time, reading, writing, and coming up with new ideas. She is an accomplished poet with a national Silver Medal in scholastic and has been published … Continue reading Bathed in Stars, The Dancer as a Shadow, and LOML
Broken
By Cynthia Pitman My bones ache, cracked by emptiness.I long to be lowered into a bath of soothing nectarfrom the wild honeysuckle.I will vine to the skyand sprout leaves of spring green.From my vine will blossomtiny, white-petaled flowers divine – flowers with a pink-tipped kiss withinand with pollen-topped stamensstained gold from an alchemist’s rain.When the … Continue reading Broken
Academy of the Heart And Mind 