By Detlef Wieck Ben stood in the middle of the floor, looking at the layers of newspaper he had put there to block the cold drafts that were coming up through the cracks between the rough, worn, boards of the floor. Although the majestic cook range was burning with the draft all the way open, … Continue reading Ben Alone
Shelter from the Storm
By Teresa Freeland I hate our SUV. I hate the ugly brown exterior. I hate the glove compartment that won’t stay shut. I hate the aqua blue seats and the muddy beige carpet. And I hate that I have one more whole day of relentless riding in the hated back seat with my repulsive little … Continue reading Shelter from the Storm
I Felt it in My Blood
By Lennox Shuppe I remember my great grandmother, Maude, collecting things. She went to flea markets in rural Oklahoma, coming home with little treasures that she squirreled away. Her home smelled of cinnamon, sage, and old books. The ground was neatly swept cement in her tiny little home on the Cherokee reservation. As you walked … Continue reading I Felt it in My Blood
Burnt Sienna
By Jim Bates Fall was her favorite season. Smiling and happy she walked woodland trails collecting leaves and weeds and grasses. She enjoyed the feel of nature in her hands she liked to say, especially the colorful leaves. Sometimes she’d take him along, holding his tiny hand gently like she held her collections. He’d follow … Continue reading Burnt Sienna
Anchor
By Ashby Neterer Since wild winds have gone and restless rains have ceased and starry skies broke into dawn, you cut your anchor free. Now that storm has passed, and waves wound down their rage, you broke the chain that bound you fast at your most needful stage. But when the clouds collect, and you, … Continue reading Anchor
Dawn
By Kal Stein Soft light under gray skiesA gentle rain fallingThe quiet sound of waterWashing the grass and stonesSoothing my soulThey are all asleepWarm under the coversStill dreaming, wrapped in memoriesAs the morning beginsWaiting for no onePossibilities aboundTo be seizedThis day will not happen again Kal Stein resumed writing poetry after retiring from a lifetime … Continue reading Dawn
Seasons
By Vern Fein You can’t slip and fall on sunshinewhich reveals my prejudiceagainst Old Man Winterwho I would trip whenhe wasn’t lookingcause him to falland break his anklelike my boss didon that black ice at the airportwhich he couldn’t see because of the sun glare.Oh shoot.You have to be carefulevery season. A recent octogenarian, Vern … Continue reading Seasons
Beauty and the Feast
By Alex Andy Phuong Bounty full of beautyA feast for the sensesTaste a colorful rainbowAs a way to understand howThe power of nowReveals the gift of the presentAnd being alive,And after expressing gratitude For sustenance,Have a hopeful attitudeAs a way to seeHow to improve reality,For elegance and refinement Might reign supreme,But the necessity of foodReveals … Continue reading Beauty and the Feast
Mountain Ash
By Gregg Norman it stood alone lakesidewith only tules close bybut back a bittall Burr Oakslooked over itwith favorthere in no-man’s-landwhere none but spiritsand gods held swaywe thought thenas people dothat it might doto fill a spotby the cottagethat needed a treesensibly if notdesperatelyso we dug it outthough its rootsdefied our bladescut off at the … Continue reading Mountain Ash
Yousmarg Meadows
By Shamik Banerjee Yousmarg meadows, dressed in dew,Tell your flowers' mottled crew,"Welcome him as one of you,"And here I'll gladly stay.Butterflies, the Redstart's calls,Rivulets and waterfalls,Conifers, and white-ridged wallsWill greet me night and day.If you can, among your blooms,Make for me a little room,It will save me from the gloomThat laps the worldly bay. Shamik … Continue reading Yousmarg Meadows
Academy of the Heart And Mind 