By: Karen Lee Stradford Rescue Somehow, you knew I needed you.You found me when I was lost. My weakness was so obvious.You refused to leave my side. I depended on you to come around.After all, cats are curious.I know that…

By: Valentin Emelin at first the sound of tearing stringand sunlight candy dropsgot scatteredon the tile floortheir touch of polished amberwas smooth like silkalas I don’t rememberthe namerhymes with a beardno that’s the facedon’t see it clearly behind the wheelin…

By: Chilaikalaan This morning bought with itself an idea.An idea that I should clean my room.I started by making my bed.I picked up the novels and kept them in a rack.I picked up the clothes and kept them for washing.I…

By: Stephen Kingsnorth Arty Facts These artefacts of pilfered swag –fact – much museum art is theft;as folk stare through the looking glass,what of reflecting, facing past? Unless it’s evidence in court –proceeds of crime not norm display,an oeuvre brochure,…

By: Jacquelyn Shah Without Fanfare Without fanfare hoopla handshakeswithout publication or proclamationbenefit of billboardswithout the expectation of applause or awewithout a murmurthe mind starsin its quiet littlebreakdown Dull drum of come on come on nowcontrapuntal noand utter disregardfor the head’s…

By: Edith Gallagher Boyd Ricky marked his calendar when the visits drew near. Sometimes Momma stayed for  cousins’ week, and sometimes she left us in Nana’s care. We brought our sleeping bags as we never knew how many young people…

By: Michael C. Seeger Time’s Celerity Time’s celerity astonishes me;Hastening death with its insatiate clock —Remorselessly tick-tocking a decreeNumbering my days and hours in its lock. Ignored in youth, the days went unnumbered.Misplaced time seemed to go on for hours.In…

By: John Grey SIDE EFFECT I get down on my kneesand smell wildflowers.What started asas a childhood curiosityis now habit.Colorful or plain,my nose isn’t particular.In its time,it’s breathed ineverything frombreathtaking purplesto plain whites,from the lushest,the showiest,to the most demure.Some offer…

By: Emmanuel G G Yamba The charm that holds meA spell cast upon my beingA beautiful face unleashEntices me to staringI’m bewitched and clench Like the rainbow in the skyThe face drape my lifeThe only tree in EdenThat feed me…

By: Cailey Tarriane I Wish I Was More Prepared. Left to be governed by moonlightUnequipped, flightless and never was Been loved like a daughterNever learned how to spread out wingsBecause I am daughtered Glints of the moon or I’m left…