Theodore “Ted” Kortenkamp, now a junior partner at a prestigious law firm, lives in the shadow of his successful father and under the weight of family expectations. Experiencing difficulty in his marriage due to reluctance about starting a family, Ted has a realization after observing a wren’s domestic bliss in a bright yellow birdhouse his wife, Ellie, had hung in their patio. This moment of introspection leads Ted to confront his fears, culminating in a reconciliatory moment with Ellie, where he finally agrees it’s time to start their family. The story is written by Leon Kortenkamp, a San Francisco Bay Area writer and artist with an extensive background including military service and a Master of Fine Arts degree.

Daniel de Culla paints a critical and humorous picture of Paris, mocking its nicknames ‘City of Light’ and ‘City of Love’. He describes the Ferris Wheel at the amusement park as a highlight, offering views of landmarks like Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. Yet, he warns of the expensive café drinks and the undesirable taste of holy water. With sarcasm, he recounts the disillusionment in the quest for love, seeking but not finding satisfaction in Pigalle’s notorious Moulin Rouge, mocked by the dancers for their unmet desires, leading to a disappointing turn in a sex shop. De Culla’s narrative carries a caution from his father, emphasizing the illusion versus the reality of the city’s promises.

By: Jim Bates Beneath the tree topsA lush carpet of soft fernsBeckons one to rest. Sunlight sparklingOn water droplets fallingBirds frolic beneath. Snow-On-the-MountainSoft green and white groundcoverSoothing to the soul. After hot yard workResting under shady treesCool breeze refreshes. Cascading…

By: Jim Bates After the snowstormWinter’s soft gentle beautySnow on evergreens. Glorious bright moonShining on snow reflectingBrilliant winter light. At the skating rinkHappy folks spin and swirlA winter ballet. Sunlit snow fallingTiny flakes frosting the groundSparkling and gleaming. Bleak gray…

By: James Hippie Intake The intake psychiatrist asked meif I was hearing voices,experiencing hallucinations,or believed I possessedany superpowers. Then he asked meto remember three words: AppleBroadwayPencil Twenty-seven yearslater I canstill recall them,like a mantraor form ofsympathetic magic. As long as…

By: Ryan Quinn Flanagan Forest Dwelling Thing No druid-hung tree for you,no forest dwelling thing,no bloodletters or caregivers –please pass the silent leech tongsof dinner table etiquette. For what ails, there is no cure.No principality of common refuge. That dangling…

Carl Papa Palmer recounts his family’s humorous take on Ash Wednesday, with the priest’s ashen cross on his father’s bald head growing each year. His mother jokes about his ‘big canvas,’ and the siblings teasingly join in. The threat of skipping ice cream silences them, revealing a heartwarming family tradition imbued with laughter and sentiment.

Mayumi reflects on the absence of a loved one during a past birthday, with her pet Tenten still alive then. Now, as another birthday approaches without Tenten, the loved one has returned. Amidst tragedies in the world, Mayumi’s perspective on her small world shifts, desiring the loved one’s presence until her life’s end.

Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” promotes compassion to counteract racism, as illustrated by Atticus Finch’s advice to his daughter Scout. Research from Stanford and the University of Texas reinforces the importance of compassion and self-compassion for psychological and social well-being. Kindness and compassion also have contagious effects that benefit society. However, global happiness is declining, a phenomenon that can be remedied by fostering compassion, which is crucial for a content and connected society.

By: R.T. Castleberry THE WORLD IS NOT RENEWED Sleeping beneathGoodwill blanket and sheets,the first rattle of winteragainst the windows,I take tension intoevery breathing day.Feral, almost criminal,I drive back threats, toss backtavern shots and beers.No matter where I strike,any lie or…