By Timothy Resau Previously published in The Sparrow's Trombone on November 22, 2021 I am alone. I’m in a most unique hotel room. It’s very modern and sparsely furnished. I believe it’s a hotel room. I assume it’s a room. I assume it’s a hotel. It’s fun to assume. I’m watching a TV program. I … Continue reading Wabi-Sabi
The Glittery Concoction
By Manaly Talukdar The chemist assured me that the sachets of powders will work. I have heard that his unconventional ingredients have proven to be of great assistance. “His medicine has helped my son socialize better in school” A friend of mine spared her secret one evening when she visited for tea. The witchy chemist’s … Continue reading The Glittery Concoction
The Limp
By Leigh-Anne Burley John Henry looks up into his mother’s face as his plump fingers tug at her billowing skirt, pulling her towards the shoreline. She smiles at him and then turns a troubling gaze toward the ocean and the vastness beyond. While building sandcastles, she tells him his father was a hero fighting for … Continue reading The Limp
She Pretends Not to Speak
By Victoria Hewitt Her hair is grayed at the temples now. Her bones are more brittle and her voice cracks when she speaks to her cat. Her children live across the country with families of their own and her husband of 40 years passed away from the impact of the car that struck him while … Continue reading She Pretends Not to Speak
Snow Angel
By Richard Patterson The old man trudged strenuously through the foot deep snow in the Alaskan wilderness. His heart was pounding in his chest and he had to keep telling himself that it was not as hard as it seemed, that he was going to make it back to his cabin. He was just under … Continue reading Snow Angel
One Last Hurrah
By Rachel Tucker We stood side by side on the upper deck of the small passenger ferry. The November wind whipped my hair around and I shivered in the cold. He placed his hand over mine on the railing and, without turning, asked quietly, "Are you sure you wouldn't like to go downstairs where it's … Continue reading One Last Hurrah
The Only Happy Song She Remembered
By Marzia Rahman When the air smelt like an empty cookie jar and the lampposts shed yellow lights on the streets, she came out of her hut. Wearing a glossy sari with slim zari borders and red high heels, she walked past a dog, lying under a lamppost. The dog raised its head, howling. A … Continue reading The Only Happy Song She Remembered
When Winter Whispered, “Wonder”
By Zeyneb Kaya Winter awakes from my window. Wires fall from my heart and coil through white sheets. A crimson-red wristband attests to my captivity, shackles to my freedom. My eyes are red-rimmed and swollen, salt on my cheeks. There are fears that spin around in chaos in my mind, of what I know and … Continue reading When Winter Whispered, “Wonder”
Intro to Poetry
By James Moran “The world was wet with tears. The walls, the desk, this sheet of paper. God’s tears. Only God’s tears rain indoors—” “Clarissa?” I looked up. “I can hear you whispering over there, but I don’t see anything written on your paper,” said Ms. Tannenbaum, my Introduction to Poetry teacher. “The page is … Continue reading Intro to Poetry
Ruins
By James Moran When the sun set I went to the ruins. When mother and George fought I went to the ruins. When George convinced the village mother should be executed I went to the ruins. When mounted nomads attacked the village I went to the ruins. Even when a pair of bears inhabited the … Continue reading Ruins
Academy of the Heart And Mind 