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
Lefty
By Judy Lunsford The tumors are in there taunting me. They keep me from being in control. The surgeon is confident that he can drain the cysts. He is also confident that once he drains the cysts that I should get my life back. He is going to be drilling holes in my head. I’ve … Continue reading Lefty
Little Dom’s
By Niles Reddick Christina and I got engaged at Griffith Observatory overlooking Los Angeles at sunset. We had done most pre-marriage necessities--met each other’s dysfunctional families, shared about previous relationships, and agreed on future goals. We paid the fee to park, walked to the edge of the cliff nearest the Hollywood sign, and stood breathing … Continue reading Little Dom’s
Losing Friends
By Victor Schwartzman Earnest stood on the edge of a cliff. He hated losing friends. People came and went. He hated losing connections. He hated losing people. Casual friends dropped out as casually as they dropped in. Some were charming and he missed them. Those losses caused some pain. People he’d known for years was … Continue reading Losing Friends
Hear Me and Other Flash Fiction
By Aviva Derenowski Hear Me "Why are you mad?" he pleaded mournfully. His pain finally penetrated the veil of her perception, Previously, she'd been focused only on her needs. But - Did she want that existence? No, She desired mutuality; she wanted to listen to his needs and yearnings. So she enriched her reality; One … Continue reading Hear Me and Other Flash Fiction
Feather in the Balcony
By Ranjit Kulkarni A few minutes earlier I saw the two of them on the branch of the tree. Right there in front of my balcony. Murmurs. Cooing. One of them nuzzling the other. Some silence. Some song. Singing in the soft drizzle? A swishing of the neckless head to clear the waters after it … Continue reading Feather in the Balcony
Steven and His Little Red Boat
By Tim Law Once upon a time there was a man named Steven. He had a little red boat that he would launch each night from his own personal jetty and he would sail his boat around the world. “Tell me your stories so that I can then share them,” Steven would say to all … Continue reading Steven and His Little Red Boat
Academy of the Heart And Mind 