By: John Ziegler The Black Strap We snitched coins from the Japanese lacquer trayon father’s dresser, cigarettes from mother’s pocketbook. Manners were taught by father. No elbows on the dinner table.No singing.Robert hummed. No humming. Don’t talk with your mouth…

By James Aitchison According to conventional wisdom, brand owners defined their brands through skilfully crafted advertising messages, delivered daily to billions of consumers through the mass media.  Nowadays, the game has changed.  The media is no longer mass, and brand…

By: Jim Bates White swans on the wingFlying over frozen lakesSpring so elusive. Spring creeping slowlyPlants lie in fallow slumberWaiting to burst forth. Swamps coming aliveBirds flocking chirping madlyGulls soaring overhead. Another day of sunCloudless sky over open lakeWild geese…

By: James Aitchison Why keep the mindshadowed and suppressed?Plunge truth’s razor edgeinto the darkest corners.Cut the threads which tiethe soul to the self.Let no earthly fault beburied in your being.Order and wisdom willbe yours, for youwill not be bound tothis…

By James Aitchison Great films begin with great scripts.  As Hollywood director Mervyn LeRoy once pointed out, “You can do nothing unless you have it on paper first.” Yet screenwriters suffered more frustrations and a lower status than many other…

By: Onkar Sharma In the Wilderness of the World’s Being by Thomas Sanfilip is a novel that delves into the realms of art, beauty, and the human condition. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of a protagonist who, along with…

By: Torsaa Emmauel Oryiman I had always dreamed of studying at one of the most prestigious universities in Nigeria, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Ibadan, and others. I spent sleepless nights researching schools with the…

By David William Jurgenson Harding felt a pit of dread in his stomach as his boss Jeyaseelan called on him to talk about his end-of-year accruals. He smiled and said, “Um, eh, eh, hhhhhe. Sure.” Chowden’s eyes bulged, and for…

By Carl Papa Palmer player support three different breakfasts forthree grumpy grouches slowlybecoming two grand girls and a papatalking about the early game of theirfast pitch series forgetting to thankgrandma for getting them out thedoor in time to arrive at…

By: Thomas Sanfilip It is difficult to know where to begin a serious reappraisal of the arts as they evolve into the 21st century. There is no question a paradigm shift has occurred that bodes serious consequences for the future…