By Richard LeDue The voices from my youth,which I believed would never change,nor sink in the silence deeper than words one calls a poem,are gone now, dispelled like doubtthat keeps a person from saying wordsbeyond a polite hello,and the cricket songs from past summer nightsmake poor metaphors for timelessness,even if eight hours of sleep finds … Continue reading Silence Deeper Than Words
In My Will
By Michael Lee Johnson In my will, there will be a pinball machine.A renovated jukebox from American Pickers,a cable TV show. For the taverns, bars, and basements of fun seekers for thosewho long to be free and ferocious.I no longer fear death.Empty vodka bottle by my bed.A dusty Bible underlinedJesus’ messages in red. Michael Lee … Continue reading In My Will
Who am I?
By Kaitlyn Pereira Who am I? I am my parents’ child. An only child, Which means I am not only their daughter But also their son. I keep my mother on the inside of the road And glare at the men who stare at her. I help my father build the bed And fix the … Continue reading Who am I?
A Day In The Life
By Hailey Huber 3 a.m.: She cries. A sound that breaks the bubble of the world, so soft and delicate. 4 a.m.: She wakes. The blanket closes around her as she twists and turns. The wooden bars melt away as hands come down from the sky. 5 a.m.: She walks. Cameras capture her from every … Continue reading A Day In The Life
Reflections
By Todd Adams I was watering our purple phlox with an absent mind, ruminating on things that might have been or worrying about those to come, when I caught sight of a dark shape flashing around my legs. I stood stock still, fearing it was a giant wasp or some other stinging creature, but then … Continue reading Reflections
Winter Competition Nonfiction Winner: “Winter” by Lily Ogden
I grew up in England. In a place that knew winter only for a brief time. Snow was a holiday, a moment that never lingered. Wet snow that soaked through knitted mittens. Hastily rolled snowmen that had grass and mud still clinging to them. A furrow left behind that quickly melted. We thought that Spring … Continue reading Winter Competition Nonfiction Winner: “Winter” by Lily Ogden
Winter Competition Fiction Winner: “Philosophy of Snow” by Gary Hardy
It was 6 am. I sipped from a mug of hot coffee while I looked out our bay window. Night lingered in the air and held down the colors of dawn from blooming. Glowing streetlights made the dim snowflakes glisten as they turned in their slanted fall and windows of flurries were held in suspense … Continue reading Winter Competition Fiction Winner: “Philosophy of Snow” by Gary Hardy
Winter Competition Poetry Winner: “blizzard” by Jennifer Choi
a flock of bald eagles descends, swooping down from the northern sky, crashing onto asphalt roads, refracting streetlight beams. with sharp talons, they tear roofs apart, … Continue reading Winter Competition Poetry Winner: “blizzard” by Jennifer Choi
The Paradox of Apologies
By Jonizza Giovanna Lupi I’m Sorry Finding yourself uttering "I'm sorry" as easily as breathing, you realize it has become a reflex, a default response in your interactions. It slips. The words roll off your tongue, involuntarily peppering your conversations. A verbal tic. But as you catch yourself apologizing for things beyond your control or … Continue reading The Paradox of Apologies
History of Burned Books
By Richard Smith Books are inherently human. They capture human struggle, present human ideas, and promote human expression. As there has been division on how to handle differing and problematic facets of humanity, division in handling different and problematic media also exists. People have turned to censorship to solve various issues, and in the case … Continue reading History of Burned Books
Academy of the Heart And Mind 