By Carrie Connel-Gripp He was glad of his freedom, but the events of the past year left him brooding. Contemplating what he should do and where he should go only brought a swamping uncertainty. He could drown here just as well as somewhere else. There was nowhere he called home. He had gravitated to the … Continue reading Loon Call at Owl-light
Retelling the Story of Yasodharā
By Indunil Madhusankha (Previously published in the 2016 October issue of the Sentinel Literary Quarterly) In the nightly cold of the Esala full moon day, perhaps she felt an abrupt rush of the bizarre wind in her usual entanglements – the cozy and pacifying dreams as He looked at her on the sly, … Continue reading Retelling the Story of Yasodharā
High School Contest First Place Winner Fiction: “The Man”
by Alexander Choi The dilapidated road had a myriad of cracks in its asphalt as I cruised along the pavement. The blazing sun illuminated the land with rays penetrating through my windshield, hindering my vision of the road. I could faintly hear the wind whispering in my ear when I took a glimpse of the … Continue reading High School Contest First Place Winner Fiction: “The Man”
Love At First Sight
By Dianne Moritz My mother has three hard and fast words of warning about men and dating: “Never spend the first date at a movie. Why waste two hours sitting in a dark theater, when you could be getting to know each other? Secondly, don’t be timid about ordering exactly what you want in a … Continue reading Love At First Sight
Wonder
By Kelli J Gavin I wonder if he knows. I wonder every single day. I watch him as he brushes his teeth and shaves. I watch him as he removes his wedding ring and puts lotion on his hands. I watch him as he gathers his dress shirt and tie and heads downstairs each morning … Continue reading Wonder
Death Imitating Art
By P.A. O'Neil “I never meant to hurt anyone.” The man looked down and shook his head, damp from the rain, his arms wrapped around his body as if to fend off a chill. “You have to believe me, officer.” The diminutive woman in the police raincoat nodded as she took his statement. “Yes, sir; … Continue reading Death Imitating Art
By Amani Utembu I didn't believe in legends. Never thought I'd ever believe in any of the old stories either until a couple of days ago after we moved. There's this park, some three or four kilometers away from home that me and my friends go to hang out on weekends, or just go to … Continue reading
Poems by Guy Farmer
Contrived Existence Systematic destruction Of self-worth replaced With rigid decrees for How to live life, Zealously, nervously Monitored, lest there be Any defections, the Preservation of the sham The only goal, an insecure Stack of lies desperately Trying to justify its Contrived existence. ----- His Stories Sitting in his room, Telling himself His stories, Over … Continue reading Poems by Guy Farmer
Christmas Contest: Fiction 2nd Place
"Christmas Yet to Come" By Len Saculla Peter 181 BM pressed his button nose hard against the polyglass window and gazed excitedly at the winter sky above the capital city. His maternal grandfather, Aaron 797 BM, gently squeezed the boy’s shoulder, grinned like he was still six years old, and asked, ‘Can you see Santa … Continue reading Christmas Contest: Fiction 2nd Place
Christmas Contest: Fiction 1st Place
A Christmas Gamble By Matt McGee Christmas is giving. It’s surprises. The unexpected. Maybe, some years, there can be just a little bit of magic thrown in. Some people need to be alone to feel that. Chris loves to lie in her room, lights off or at least dimmed down to little more than a … Continue reading Christmas Contest: Fiction 1st Place
Academy of the Heart And Mind 