By Faye Charlotte Three feet of snow cover anything in sight, except the black sludge that pools at the edges of the road. The bright white stings your eyes with its reflection. Is it Christmas yet? My mother adorns the tree in red bulbs. Red like the ribbon you used to wear in your hair. … Continue reading White Christmas Snow
Elusive
By Orode Ajuwaghan To search…How is that for a Human constant.A trait ingrained, deep in the fabric of our being, Long before we were an amalgamation of several conscious thoughts.Tis a maker’s humour,To gleefully watch over creations futile attempts to placate desperations. Mindlessly groping amongst the shadows, Across jagged and straight lines.For all things, between … Continue reading Elusive
A Circular Path
By Marianne Brems Previously published in Stepping Stones in May 2024 From lakes to vapor to clouds to raindrops to earth and lakes, the everyday cycle of transferand renewal, a circular path, until it breaks. When a deluge of raindrops loosens soil,fells trees,spills mud, clogs drains,pools water,when a deficit of raindrops drains lushness,releases turgor,shrivels leaves, … Continue reading A Circular Path
Lincoln in Court
By Fred Klein Early in his law career, Abraham Lincoln had an unusual case in the backwoods of Illinois. A certain Mr. Jake Plummer was accused of stabbing a Mr. Wilson Black to death with a knife. There were three witnesses who said they saw Mr. Plummer kill Mr. Black. No one wanted to defend Mr. Plummer, but … Continue reading Lincoln in Court
Circus Sam
By Luke Beling I moved to a new school in the eighth grade. Dad thought we needed a fresh start after mom died. It took my classmates one week to devise a nickname for me—one week of observing my zinc-painted face. "You're just missing the green hair and juggling balls, Circus Sam!" The first day … Continue reading Circus Sam
The Big Embrace
By Karen Quickley After Christian Schloe’s digital artwork “Promise of Love” This morning, I came hereTo tell all that I’m settingMy soul-spirit free becauseThis life is no home for Her, because she sang herBeautiful, melodious songAnd it hasn’t been enoughTo gain her all that she wantsAnd needs. Instead, I’ve foundYou here. I find us. There’sNo … Continue reading The Big Embrace
The Yellow Dress
By Denise Diehl Lake Tekapo is known for its turquoise-blue waters, mountainous backdrop, and dark sky reserve—where one can view the stars in all their glory and ponder the mysteries of the universe. Truly a fantastic tourist attraction. It also has another little-known feature—inexplicable disappearances. One that Lucy Erb would soon discover. Had she been … Continue reading The Yellow Dress
The Critic
By John Tures The writer thanks his sister and his mother, and his family as well as Sharon Marchisello and Ann Michelle Harris for the great feedback. He would also like to thank an anonymous author and his family for helping provide the inspiration for the story. The writer stood before his toughest critic, shocked … Continue reading The Critic
The Thief
By Sarah Collins Standing before the school board, my stomach was tight as if I’d recently completed 100 sit-ups. I never thought something like this would happen to me. I wasn’t the girl to find trouble. My momma raised me to be honest and kind and to never tell a lie. The act of lying … Continue reading The Thief
Centipede Season
By Sristi Sengupta It is easier to listen to the cricketswith my eyes closed, but I knowyou just flew over the roof of the cottage,Ghost-man, why do we have to be in the same part of the forest right now?Oh, you are here to listen to the crickets tooOr maybe you have something else in … Continue reading Centipede Season
Academy of the Heart And Mind 