By Orode Ajuwaghan To search…How is that for a Human constant.A trait ingrained, deep in the fabric of our being, Long before we were an amalgamation of several conscious thoughts.Tis a maker’s humour,To gleefully watch over creations futile attempts to placate desperations. Mindlessly groping amongst the shadows, Across jagged and straight lines.For all things, between … Continue reading Elusive
A Circular Path
By Marianne Brems Previously published in Stepping Stones in May 2024 From lakes to vapor to clouds to raindrops to earth and lakes, the everyday cycle of transferand renewal, a circular path, until it breaks. When a deluge of raindrops loosens soil,fells trees,spills mud, clogs drains,pools water,when a deficit of raindrops drains lushness,releases turgor,shrivels leaves, … Continue reading A Circular Path
The Big Embrace
By Karen Quickley After Christian Schloe’s digital artwork “Promise of Love” This morning, I came hereTo tell all that I’m settingMy soul-spirit free becauseThis life is no home for Her, because she sang herBeautiful, melodious songAnd it hasn’t been enoughTo gain her all that she wantsAnd needs. Instead, I’ve foundYou here. I find us. There’sNo … Continue reading The Big Embrace
Centipede Season
By Sristi Sengupta It is easier to listen to the cricketswith my eyes closed, but I knowyou just flew over the roof of the cottage,Ghost-man, why do we have to be in the same part of the forest right now?Oh, you are here to listen to the crickets tooOr maybe you have something else in … Continue reading Centipede Season
I Can Walk Through Walls of Words
By Jessica Ursell when red deer antlers poke through the hardwood floorthat’s a signal I can’t ignorereminding me I can walk through walls of words into a poem of Japanese cherry blossomsand emerald birdspink tufts of poufy fluff surrounds the soft grass strewnwith rich coffee groundsmingling scents sweet and hearty gazing across the verdant carpetI … Continue reading I Can Walk Through Walls of Words
An Abandoned Farmhouse on a Forest Trail
By John Grey Cramped rooms,small windows,grimy crumbling fireplaceand, in the attic,old mattresses for children’s beds –this wasn’t a houseof ease and comfort.Cupboards tinyin anticipationof limited provisions,a few rotted turnipsin a dank root cellarfields given up to snowand a barn tilted to one side –no great expectation anywhere,merely the signs of a limited survival.Here in the … Continue reading An Abandoned Farmhouse on a Forest Trail
The Man on the Flying Frontier
By Ken Gosse A flat-earth explorer had made his last pledgeto persist with his search from a great flying sledgetied beneath a balloonwhich he sailed to the Moon,but his boot was untiedso the first step he triedmeant one short trip for man sent him over the edge. Ken Gosse usually writes short, rhymed verse using whimsy and … Continue reading The Man on the Flying Frontier
The Tide
By Pauline Olthof-Youn The tide, in and outLike a beating heart pumpingIn rhythm, with you Pauline Olthof-Youn is an English teacher for at risk students who enjoys writing poems in her free time. This year she challenged herself by participating in the 12 hour poetry marathon. She also loves spending time with her family travelling … Continue reading The Tide
At First Frost
By Mary Bone At first frostpecans fell from trees.I filled up my pail.The leaves had fallenleaving a stark reminderthe harvest was over. Mary Bone's poetry has appeared at Academy of the Heart and Mind, Poetry Catalog Highland Park Poetry, Lothlorien Poetry Journal and other places.
The Naughty List
By Duane Anderson The state highway department posted the message:“Not wearing seat belts? I’m telling Santa,”but I tell them, go ahead, tell Santa,for Santa hasn’t visited me in ages.I was already on his naughty list,but since I was already wearing a seat belt,there was no reason to tell Santa that I was being good,so there … Continue reading The Naughty List
Academy of the Heart And Mind 