Be Real Reality might be bleak Yet the ones who accept reality Are not meek For the strong Are the ones who truly endure And enjoy the gift of life itself Son Rise Born into a world Of night and day Parents help a young man Not go astray Some abandon … Continue reading Poems by Alex Andy Phuong
Christmas Wish
By Tavinder New Frost was glistening like jewels shining as though it was worth a million pounds. The wind was whistling like a naughty child intermittently. Figures of people hustled around to gather Christmas presents last minute. Their faces were full joy like sunshine because of the air of Christmas was approaching. Kids unable … Continue reading Christmas Wish
A Christmas Gift
By Jessica Ricks The neighborhood was alive with Christmas lights as light flurries fell from the sky and Christmas music seemed to play everywhere I went, a constant reminder that this Christmas wasn't as merry as it usually was. Our house was decorated but under our usual tree, that was covered in lights, sparkling bulbs, … Continue reading A Christmas Gift
Summer Contest Fiction 2nd Place
The Summer Moon By Debjani Mukherjee It is a warm summer evening. Mrinal is busy with her kitchen chores. Her hair is tied up in a untidy bun allowing few forelocks dangling on her round slim face with high cheekbones. Her tall thin body is wrapped with an emerald cotton night gown perfectly complementing her … Continue reading Summer Contest Fiction 2nd Place
More In Common Than Not
By: Kelli J Gavin When I admire the rolling hills, you believe they are only more mountains to climb. When I am inspired by a new challenge, you are overwhelmed by the simple aspects of each day. When your heart becomes heavy and your breathing labored, take a deep breath, … Continue reading More In Common Than Not
Song of Songs
By Marvel Pephel Nneka is not dead, but she wishes she was. What she has just seen is unbearable. What life is doing to her, she thinks, is not fair. She wants to die, but she won't. She wishes she wasn't callous. *** Light rises on Chekwube, a young chubby girl with … Continue reading Song of Songs
Ornamental Grasses
By Kelli J Gavin When I was a child, we didn’t travel very often. I didn’t even board a plane until I was 11 years old. We would go to cabins in the woods for a couple nights or so, but they were always within a few hours of home. My dad and mom worked very … Continue reading Ornamental Grasses
“The World’s a Stage”
November 15th I took a deep breath in, and held it. In those few seconds, the fears I had been accumulating for the past few weeks came rushing back in, fluttering into my stomach and wrapping around my body, turning me into a trembling wreck. But then I exhaled. They flew away and I opened … Continue reading “The World’s a Stage”
Chasing Mr. Jones
By Camille Wilson “I’m not dead.” Those three little words woke me up in the middle of the night. So clear that they made me question whether or not I was in my right mind. I sat up, confused. An array of scattered thoughts and emotions struck me and pulsated through my brain. I looked over … Continue reading Chasing Mr. Jones
“Summer Money”
By Gabby Velasquez The worst time to get a job is when you don’t need it. My ma doesn’t need her fix and I don’t need this job...especially since it's my money she uses to get all her drugs. Here I am, my face sticky-sweaty and my arms sore from holding a sponge all day. I … Continue reading “Summer Money”
Academy of the Heart And Mind 