By David B. Barnes My view of the world had changed after years of being disappointed by people who seemed to be focused on hurting anyone they could, for any reason or for no reason. I started wearing a badge to make a difference. I found that those of us who wanted to help our … Continue reading The Woods Can Be Good
The Procession
By Anthony Ward It was the third consecutive year that Jared had sat outside the church on the Eve of St. Mark with the hope of catching a vision of the phantom congregation. The only eerie event he had experienced up until then was the spectacle of a Barn Owl that had swooped, banshee like, … Continue reading The Procession
The Bell Tower
By DC Diamondopolous Reverend Langston Penniman sat on the edge of his bed, stretching his black fingers. Everything had either twisted up on him or shrunk except his stomach. Once six-foot-five, he now plunged to six two, still tall, but not the imposing dignitary he once was standing behind the lectern in front of his … Continue reading The Bell Tower
Sliced Tomatoes
By Diane Gillespie Newly married, my husband Mike and I drove along Boskeydell Road through the hills of Southern Illinois on our way to a small farm. It was a warm summer day in 1970. Car windows open, our breaths became deeper and our bodies more relaxed as we observed the countryside, its woods and … Continue reading Sliced Tomatoes
Yellow
By Bluford Birdsong Originally published in Literary Yard Jill shuts down the treadmill after running three eight minute miles, proud of herself and thankful for a couple of hours alone. Still panting, she opens the stainless steel door of the new fridge and grabs a blue shaker bottle of branch-chain amino acids. The Tahitian Punch … Continue reading Yellow
The Wall
By Jim Woessner There was a loud, sharp crack from outside. The elderly woman sat up, sucked in her breath, and turned to the boy who was heating water on the one-burner stove. “What was that, Unuk?” she asked, using the Serbian word for “grandson.” “Not to worry, Baba,” the boy said. “Just a car. … Continue reading The Wall
The Way of Honor
By John Page I look down at my foe. They march through the woods with a grim look. They look around for any opponents to slay. The horde is thirsty for blood but will not get it. They do not see me up in the trees. I wait until they are right under me and … Continue reading The Way of Honor
Manhole
By Alan Ford When Jamie went out he usually felt bored. Like some people he couldn’t put his brain on hold. He needed something to think about. One day he was looking down at his cell phone, sending a text message to a friend, when he fell down a sewage manhole. He ricocheted off the … Continue reading Manhole
Tea With Honey
By Laura Teodorescu Tea time is at eight o'clock every morning, without exception. Emily puts milk into hers, but mama and I take it with a hearty amount of honey. We drink it slowly, in the Great Dining Room, without exchanging any words. When we're done, Emily cleans up quickly, mama goes in her study … Continue reading Tea With Honey
Inconsequential Memories
By Natasha Rogers I remember when I wrote the letter volunteering for this. A woman takes my hand and carefully leads me down some stairs. Her arm is barely grazing my shoulders as we descend, “There you go, good, one more step,” she says. I can’t see anything; I’m blindfolded. It’s voluntary, but I probably … Continue reading Inconsequential Memories
Academy of the Heart And Mind 