By Kristen Strmel The eyes of man did not always see beyond the sky. The hands of man did not always grace the sky. There was a time, indeed, when humanity existed only on this earth. It was the place of the gods to dwell above the sky, the blue ceiling that arced above the … Continue reading The Man Who Shot Down the Sky
This Side of the World
By Kristen Strmel I was 6 during my first spar. Mother had wanted it later, Father earlier. I used to hear them at night arguing over it. They were always quiet, but I tended to overhear things I shouldn’t have, for better or worse. I was a child, thin as a stick, but my partner … Continue reading This Side of the World
The Reunion
By John Page I walk through the graveyard of St. Imes. It is late at night but I prefer the dark. It makes the loss seem less real. I have not come here in a long time--the pain was too raw. I reflect on how I desperately miss her. It is not fair how she … Continue reading The Reunion
The War of the Golden Sun
By John Page I awaken from my tomb. I step forward slightly and am handed robes and my crown. By the time I’m at the center of the burial camber I’m dressed like I was in my life. I turn to my advisers to ask them what is going on. They explain to me that … Continue reading The War of the Golden Sun
Four Prisoners
By Harrison Abbott I knew they were all going to be hanged. They all knew it too. There was no question of rebellion. I was one of twenty guards and the prison was heavily secured. There were only four prisoners. They had been on trial for weeks, knowing they were going to be found guilty … Continue reading Four Prisoners
New Neighbors
By John Page I had just finished unloading everything off the moving truck when I heard the sound of a loud dog barking. This might sound odd but I’m really afraid of dogs. I think it’s because back in my hometown there was this wizard that liked to mess with me by summoning a shadow … Continue reading New Neighbors
Another Fish Story
By Mitchell Waldman A thunderstorm woke me last night. The storm was right on top of us. It sounded like the house was inside this huge kettle drum and each time, moments before the boom, the whole sky lit up like ten million flash bulbs all set off at once. I was terrified. I don’t … Continue reading Another Fish Story
A Fine Breakfast
By Nenad Kojic Hyde Park Corner, London, 2051. Mangled weather, bluff and blustery, yawned overhead like a sea without a shore. An urgent wind whistled its toothless tune to the swaying trees that surrounded the sleeping circus in its midst, driving sheets of rain against … Continue reading A Fine Breakfast
The Porch Bench
By Ronita Sinha It so happened that Minnie started baking treats for the neighborhood kids. It began the day Dr. Fish gently insisted that Minnie find something to do that gives her joy, a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Sitting in his grey impersonal chamber Minnie’s eyes misted over. Through the haze of … Continue reading The Porch Bench
To Still Exist
By Molly Ketcheson Sometimes she woke up crying. In her dreams, the Blank Year still existed. Or so Annie presumed whenever she was dragged from sleep with heaving sobs but no recollection of why the tears ran down her cheeks. She wasn't sure if she was crying because the memory was devastating or simply … Continue reading To Still Exist
Academy of the Heart And Mind 