By Alex Andy Phuong Beginning with nothingRight from the start,And choosing to have a soulWithin a world that is truly wholeReally does come from the heart,So strive to soar higherLike never beforeWhile never fearingWhat the future has in storeAll while trying to do so much moreThan one would ever dareWhile having an attitude of gratitude … Continue reading From Zero to Infinity
The Cellar
By John Ziegler Grandma sent me down the creaky wooden steps to fetch jars of dilly beans and pickled beets. Which aroused my anxiety because there was a monkey paw in the back corner.Not so menacing by daylightbut after dark, that’s when the thing came alive.It was a fuzzy hunk of brown insulationon a water … Continue reading The Cellar
Love’s Flickering Flame
By Jelizza G. Lupi Jelizza G. Lupi enjoys painting in her free time and aims to explore the complexities of human emotion. Based in Vancouver, WA, she draws inspiration from personal experiences and the dynamic of relationships. "Love's Flickering Flame" is a testament to her artistic vision, capturing the delicate balance of love's vulnerability in a world … Continue reading Love’s Flickering Flame
A Trip Down Slip Hill
By Reina Howard From the time Malcolm Sandoval was four and his mother warned him off the neighbors trampoline, he hated being told what to do. Which is why, against the strict instructions of his uncle, he was going to race his cousin Ben down Slip Hill. The forbidden hill lay to the east of … Continue reading A Trip Down Slip Hill
The Penance
By Aykut Tufekli After Jesus Christ was crucified, things started to change between good and evil. Satan took this as an opportunity and tried to distance people from Christianity and other religions at every opportunity. The archangel and his companions were the last servants of God. The peace in the world was not stable. Satan … Continue reading The Penance
Far from Perfect
By Emily Wahl The ax fell. She was expecting it, but it still hurt. “Why me?” was her first thought. She had gotten her hopes up, only to have them dashed. She tried to put a brave face on it, but she was in shock. Combined with lack of sleep and a mild hangover, her … Continue reading Far from Perfect
Anthem
By Ryder Smith An Aromantic Love Story Told Out of Order for Dramatic Effect September I’ve never experienced a love like this before. His perfectly tamed, flowing brunette hair. His round, almost frameless golden glasses signifying that he’s clearly queer. I have no idea what his relationship history is, but that’s not important; I know. … Continue reading Anthem
Losing #30
By Lee Ann Stevens I lost my first body part soon after I turned 70, a milestone that made it hard for me to deny the advancing years. It was number 30, a six-year molar, which means it had been in my mouth since first grade, when I had just learned to read and still … Continue reading Losing #30
Puzzle
By S. G. Dorrity Emptied out, Falling into each other, stumbling and grasping for something to hold,We were lost and missing a few,Struggling to make that complete picture advertised on the box. Coming together, grouped and joined, It all started to become more recognisable, A vague shape in the clouds, comparable to the animals of … Continue reading Puzzle
so i’m supposed to be writing a poem
By Joy Jia so I’m supposed to be writing a poem. I’m supposed to be writing a poem but what I’m actually doing is putting italics on words to pad out the line count, because that’s what I’m really good at, at the end of the day. Padding things out, I mean. Scraping by. Making … Continue reading so i’m supposed to be writing a poem
Academy of the Heart And Mind 