By Jim Bates Mom's eyes are dim with memory faded, Words come hard and the spirit is flagging. Then, one day, It is as if a song begins, And through the deep recesses of forgetfulness, There emerges a kind of light, And renewed energy. Conversation begins. Words once forgotten form. She smiles as she remembers … Continue reading The Dance
Thomas and Angry Sea
By Andrew Scott Thomas Thomas is staring out his stained window, trying to process the mess that was made. The damage done in less than six months. The exact start of the descent is blurry in Thomas’ mind. So much has done on, it runs together. Flashes of memory creep in as reminders. Little smiles … Continue reading Thomas and Angry Sea
Morning Cat and Lineage Portrait
By Datoyes Tan Morning Cat His stripes has been replaced by bands of fluorescent sunlight Looks for the weeping bird under the chair, finds only roads So looks again, inside the lion's stomach, inside the cartwheeling jets Amber eyes are drenched in gasoline tears, set on fire The sun commits arson, over the rooftop pools, … Continue reading Morning Cat and Lineage Portrait
Mystic Dell
By Lamont Turner My saunter led me far to see the mocking myriads revelry, among the hoary withered trees, upon the clouded crystal seas, where sanguine spirits never dwell __ __ the twilight heart of Mystic Dell. Where heaven and hell through awe have stayed, for wonder of the acts displayed, beneath the rainbow colored … Continue reading Mystic Dell
Apple Orchard
By Joseph S. Pete As the air turned crisp, the desiccated leaves blazed with color, as they all flocked like Canadian geese to the orchard, the couple hoped to stroll down pristine rows of verdant trees all saddled with sagging boughs heavy with fresh fruit. They had envisioned bucolic grids of Instagrammable trees where they … Continue reading Apple Orchard
The Bird and the Man
By Nathan Gromotowicz I remember seeing a strange bird unfamiliar to me and shortly after a tall man with a tall hat faraway they approach me causally asking if I had the time I looked for my imaginary watch always kept it on my wrist they were crestfallen after expressing great enthusiasm once I told … Continue reading The Bird and the Man
Helmsman and Other Poems
By Victoria Crawford Helmsman Voyagers gaze from the sloop on deck, all at sea, under the sky, while the plowman of waves, in long furrows of weather and stars, steadies the tiller Through wind and storm, passengers scour the heavens, astrologers scavenging fate in mythic signs and shapes constellations of guidance unseen Tides rise and … Continue reading Helmsman and Other Poems
Mirror
By Jean Ann Owens Mirror, Mirror on my wall who is the Fairy God Mother of them all I will say queen Jean Ann Because of her talents, gifts and her qualification and accomplishment makes her in demand like suitable for someone like rain is in demand Right now here in Louisville, Kentucky Now the … Continue reading Mirror
Marianne Brems’ New Chapbook Out Now
Marianne Brems, who shared her work in our journal throughout 2019 and 2020, has a new chapbook Unsung Offerings that was published by Finishing Line Press in September 2021. Some of the poems in the chapbook include pieces published in this journal including “Seven Seconds” (October 30, 2019), “A Treelike Shape” (January 2019), and “Their … Continue reading Marianne Brems’ New Chapbook Out Now
Your Calling and Not So Soon
By Dorah Achieng Your Calling That furnace That burning fire inside of you That inner passion That calling That is burning fiercely inside of you Hold dearly onto it Do not let it go It is your calling Your savior Your true unique identity. It will make you stand out It will distinguish you It … Continue reading Your Calling and Not So Soon
Academy of the Heart And Mind 