By Penny Nolte The station is packed and no wonder. Our train is delayed because of the storm and no one knows when it will get through, that’s good news for us because otherwise we’d have missed it. The trip is my present, because I hate to fly. We are taking a sleeper car all … Continue reading The Endless Day
Inspire for Hire
By Alex Andy Phuong As a person transitioned from college to adulthood, conflict came about along with hints of doubt. After all, like after graduation is nothing like High School Musical. Without graduating summa cum laude, this individual had to learn many powerful life lessons that extend beyond academic settings. In fact, this person learned … Continue reading Inspire for Hire
Anton
By Oleg Daugovish On an island of Fyn, washed by two frigid seas, a town of Svendborg roots. A church by the harbor repels rain’s assault with an armor of red bricks and tile. Inside the gloomy cathedral, a scent of sandalwood coats the dark-haired crowd whispering in Tagalog. The Danish Catholic congregation relies on … Continue reading Anton
The Pinny
By Myra Lee Virgil It is a brisk October day in 2024. I am perched on one of four vibrant blue Adirondack chairs made of reclaimed plastic; robust, durable, and heavy, all facing a patch of Grape Bay Beach. The waves of Bermuda’s South Shore at this stretch of the beach pounce to the shoreline. … Continue reading The Pinny
Soulless cars, portable homes
By Milena Filipps Under the influence of time in the shape of years, calendars and sunsets, we learn to believe that every town has a soul. It may be a collective memory, a view, an invention, a dialect, a name or a phantom encompassing a unique structure of history and chaos, care and carelessness, flowers … Continue reading Soulless cars, portable homes
Anthem
By Ryder Smith An Aromantic Love Story Told Out of Order for Dramatic Effect September I’ve never experienced a love like this before. His perfectly tamed, flowing brunette hair. His round, almost frameless golden glasses signifying that he’s clearly queer. I have no idea what his relationship history is, but that’s not important; I know. … Continue reading Anthem
Dreams Within Dreams
By Earl Smith Dreams Within DreamsEarl Smith It was a sunny wintery morning. The air was crisp and bracing. At the edge of a forest clearing, Wolverine sat atop a moss-covered log, his sharp gaze fixed on the open meadow beyond the tree line. Just above him a sleek, inky-black Raven perched on a low-hanging … Continue reading Dreams Within Dreams
Plastic Flowers
By Charmaine Arjoonlal Vanity of vanity Vanity of vanity... All is vanity. Ecclesiastes 1:14 Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto I DODGED THROUGH the din and smells and shoppers to purchase another pair of pants. I wanted her to find me beautiful. I wanted her to love me. I’d finally have a place. In front of a … Continue reading Plastic Flowers
The Good Goodbye
By Tracie Adams I’m positive the assistant manager of the ice-skating rink was not expecting the response he got. He puffed out his argyle sweater-clad chest and squared off his petite, round shoulders as if trying to scare off a bear. His animated behavior only served to heighten the humor of the scene, so my … Continue reading The Good Goodbye
Shopping Memories
By Debra J. White I grew up in New York City during the Cold War era. The city was packed with multi-level department stores that stocked clothing, furniture, toys, linens, hats, appliances and more. There was free gift wrapping and complimentary boxes. Some NYC department stores like Bloomingdale’s were high end for the upscale shopper. … Continue reading Shopping Memories
Academy of the Heart And Mind 