By Stephen Tillman “Not here!” Julie exclaimed as Mark held open the door of the restaurant. “It’s too fancy and too expensive. I’m not dressed for a place like this. You said it would be casual.” “Don’t you worry your…

By John RC Potter Let me tell you a story of a galon a doorin the back of a station wagonon her wayto the hospital,and how she ended up there. Becky had a freefall from grace,barrelling out the kitchen door;in…

By: Fran Schumer             Some time ago, when I was a young mother, a woman in my neighborhood told me that every day at about 2 p.m., before her daughter came home from school, she would masturbate. If her husband,…

Chloe Min’s poignant collection reflects on transience and the pain of parting. From hesitating to leave a loved one to the quiet disappearance of spring and joyous moments under a rainbow parachute, her verses capture fleeting beauty. Sand grains in her “Memories” symbolize the fading past, mirroring life’s impermanence. Chloe, a student at Oak Hill School, cherishes reading, writing, and chess.

By Nicola Vallera It’s the craziest day of my life, and I’m heading into the department stores for Christmas shopping. I wasn’t planning on buying anything for anyone. I’m thirty-one, my folks are gone, and my relatives are memories. Thank…

By: Erik Priedkalns There is a Japanese woman carved into the side of a mountain, on the face of a granite wall. The wall is deep in a Niigata Forest, close to the Sea of Japan. She sits high in…

By Taylor Dibbert He’s settling intoHis business class seatOn a flight headingFrom DCTo DohaAnd thenHe’ll fly toSri Lanka,A long wayTo go andHe’s feelingSo gratefulFor this seat. ### Taylor Dibbert is a writer, journalist, and poet in Washington, DC. “Invictus,” his…

In the quaint Alpine village of Valles, Emily develops a lifelong fascination with a stationary steam train, symbolizing her quest for love. Despite various relationships and the fading allure of the train over decades, she eventually finds contentment with Pieter. Returning to Valles, the ever-present steam is gone, replaced by shared laughter and new beginnings.

To improve your sleep quality despite carrying a few extra pounds, there are several practical steps to ponder. You’ve got to understand the link between your weight and sleep quality.  It’s key to establish a consistent sleep schedule, avoid caffeine…

By: James Aitchison See how a life can wander,unaware of its true path.All beings aspire to be eternal.Eternity is within,discovered in the silent soul.Hear the Voice that speaksuntiringly, words of peaceand purity.Honesty is the key toself and soul.Master the self,unlock…