The throbbing pain inside my inflamed throat was excruciating.The congestion of my nasal passages made it nearly impossible for me to breathe. My head, which was as heavy as a concrete slab of stone, pulsed painfully with every step I took. “Anna. If you can’t handle it, just go see a doctor.”As I lay down … Continue reading June Micro Memoir Contest: Bronze Winner: “Handle It” by Anna Lee
Sun Tzu and Entertainment: Jaws’ Orca Ordeal
By Andrew Nickerson In the field of military tactics/strategy, one name has long stood above the rest: Sun Tzu, ancient philosopher/general/strategist. This ancient genius’ masterpiece, The Art of War, is one of the most venerated of all time, a gem touching on nearly every element of conflict, and all for one unique goal: winning. Its … Continue reading Sun Tzu and Entertainment: Jaws’ Orca Ordeal
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
Euripides as a Human Experience
By Lefcothea Maria Golgaki Regressus ad uterum (return to the womb) –the voice of destiny arises from the most primal depths of human existence. This still dwells within us, even after all these centuries of “evolution.” Among the many innovations Euripides introduced to Drama, this venerable “literary genre”, would be his decision to redefine the … Continue reading Euripides as a Human Experience
Sun Tzu and Entertainment: The Iron Giant’s Fall of Mansley
By Andrew Nickerson In military tactics/strategy, no name is more revered than Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinese general/philosopher whose masterpiece, The Art of War, is considered the pinnacle of brilliance. Touching on virtually every aspect of conflict, it’s consistently won over entire generations of fans, not only for its no-nonsense approach, but for its unique … Continue reading Sun Tzu and Entertainment: The Iron Giant’s Fall of Mansley
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
Losing #30
By Lee Ann Stevens I lost my first body part soon after I turned 70, a milestone that made it hard for me to deny the advancing years. It was number 30, a six-year molar, which means it had been in my mouth since first grade, when I had just learned to read and still … Continue reading Losing #30
Pretty Is as Pretty Does
By Kim Hayes My mother and I are sitting in her living room, talking about what I can’t remember. Out of nowhere, she says, “You know, Kim, you would be so much prettier with contacts. Why don’t you wear them anymore? I’ll pay for them.” It is the fall of 2017 and I’m in New … Continue reading Pretty Is as Pretty Does
The Dark Side of Albert: Einstein and Mileva Marić, his First Wife
By David R. Topper Albert Einstein was the most photographed scientist of the 20th century. The scope of emotions depicted range from the serious to the silly: from looking like a secular saint with hands folded and deep in contemplation of supposedly solemn thoughts, to the image hanging in front of me on the bulletin … Continue reading The Dark Side of Albert: Einstein and Mileva Marić, his First Wife
Winter Competition Nonfiction Winner: “Winter” by Lily Ogden
I grew up in England. In a place that knew winter only for a brief time. Snow was a holiday, a moment that never lingered. Wet snow that soaked through knitted mittens. Hastily rolled snowmen that had grass and mud still clinging to them. A furrow left behind that quickly melted. We thought that Spring … Continue reading Winter Competition Nonfiction Winner: “Winter” by Lily Ogden
Academy of the Heart And Mind 