By: Ed Nichols                         Strange Dog I have a strange dog. She can talk when she wants to. Sometimes she says, “E Pluribus Unum” when we are walking. I ask her what is she saying. She doesn’t answer. She usually…

By: Aruna Subramanian The caged canarypreserved her wingsfor another day,when she couldspread her songsacross the blue sky.Days & nights flew bybehind the closed doors.She waits and waitsfor the dawnthat might recoverwhat lay beneaththe layers of dustbelonging to the ages,disappearing,forgotten,her desire…

By: Hassam Gul Amelie remained seated on the silk-coated settee, even when the train resumed her stranded journey if you are to call her remains by her name, a part in which I had full bearing. My mare snare, when…

By: Connie Woodring This article focuses on ageism and its effects on women and society. Women over 40 typically concern themselves with menopause, mid-life crises, caring for their elderly parents and perhaps face lifts.  Ageism and becoming old and vulnerable…

By: Deogratias Kagali Malicious intents,All over the invitation,Bad be done right,Plan of evil must be laid. The invited pride clouded,Showing off a habit.Feet of fragile clay,Astray their path’s destination. Full of oneself,Made it even easier,For evil to conquer,Destruction be a…

By: Carl “Papa” Palmer Pleased with my brand new door lock knobs,chrome, smooth, tapered, anti-theft,no ridge to grasp with a coat hanger,I swing shut the door to my truckwith the keys dangling from the ignition. Knowing the doors are locked,I…

By: J.D. Diaz After closing, when all the diners and most of the staff were gone and he was done cleaning his station and knives, he helped Javier with the dishes and mopping the floor. They had a smoke by…

By: Melissa Graham I wait again.I am not your expectations.I wait for you to feel me, hear meI wait for you to seenot my hairnot my skinbut the soul that lives within.I am not unbreakableI am not replaceableSomeday you will…

By: Jim Brosnan Postcard from a Forgotten Town I wrote phrases,fragmentsof thought,so manymiles awayas I recalledtrain whistlesbreakingevening silenceand headlightson the nearbystretchesof highwaypassing overwinding hillsas I now watchlingering embersleapfrom a fireplaceas snowflakestumbleacross the lawn. ### Landscape of Reminders Sleet splattersthe windshieldof…

By: Douglas K Currier Residential care Day 99 Long-term residential care smells of death:incontinence, the odor of liniment, industrial disinfectant,moth balls, menthol, old clothes, meds,and the liquid, pervasive smells of the cafeteria.I already lack the small-motor skills to take pills….