From the Archives

untitled by JR Vork

untitled storm clouds stalk tender grasp leaves

Like the Hopper Man by Vincent Barry

Like the Hopper Man Tonight, I turn on the ‘Easy Listening’ channel and shadow dance under an old moon breaking improbably through half-opened, weathered window shutters. As I do, I retreat into…

Dancing with Thunder by Cynthia Sharp

Dancing with Thunder melodic leaves swirl spiral embraced dynamic partner

Ugly Homes by Adam Michael Nicks

Ugly Homes Another chilly, late spring evening where trees struggled to keep pace with the racing approach of summer. Rough, elephant hide bark hid crooning birds, busy building where twig tips tickled…

Beaches by Miranda Forman

Beaches The fine, cool sand grates the skin between our toes. The sun dwindles behind the dunes until the ocean is invisible and roars. Its needle spray pricks our lips. From behind…

The Purpose of Seasons by Clay Carpenter

The Purpose of Seasons Five years feel like one the purpose of seasons sharpens like edges of a tanker when September fog burns off the ship channel Winter’s sterile needles inject opiate…

The River – Art by Clarise Samuels

Living Gems by Ann Christine Tabaka

Living Gems flying jewels tiny gems grace my gardens with aerial antics visiting each flower spreading joy flitting about shimmering, iridescent my summer passion beauty in motion fierce warriors ardently guarding their…

All the Sickos by Anna Cates

All the Sickos Holding the sleeping infant on her shoulder, she gazed peacefully at her surroundings. Tourists wandered in and out of stores, an old man was setting up his easel beside…

Torture by Jacob G. Hess

Torture Sitting here, thinking of you, it’s like Chinese water torture. You know of it, I’m sure– the type of torture which involves water dripping slowly and steadily onto your forehead. That’s…

The Life and Times of a Male Childminder by Philip R. Harrison

The Life and Times of a Male Childminder My childminding career lasted just over three years. My previous employment was as a learning support assistant with special needs children at a primary…

Mother Nature by Bill Melton

Mother Nature I learned to love nature as a child, Watching my father lovingly till the soil, coaxing the best from plants, or gently tame wild creatures. He taught me not to…

Crucifixion and Dog Food by Anna Cates

Crucifixion and Dog Food Brown hills— Brown sky— Empty roads lead From nothing to nowhere— The cattle cars rattle by Horse heads Hang from windows Tongues loll in thirst They pant like…

The Coronation by John MacDonald

The Coronation The cab driver told us when he says, “Vavavoom” he means “vavavoom” but we could not take him on his word and so he drove us to see the burlesque…

Rain in Burlington, New Jersey by John MacDonald

Rain in Burlington, New Jersey Here the rain falls cold, sober and vertical, a perfunctory gray dome pouring water on the house of friendly acquaintances who put me up for the night.…

Lentil Soup by Bill Melton

3 tbsp. olive oil 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup chopped carrot 1/3 cup chopped parsley 2+ qts. chicken stock 1 lb. brown dried lentils 1 smoked ham…

The Dream by Mary Crane Fahey

Practice! Hide under bolted, wooden desks… Hands over ears. Hunch to the wall. Head to a shelter. The dream begins, then fades. Kennedy…Krushev Cuba…crises The dream returns. In the grayblack silence The…

At sixteen on a balmy August day by Richard Fox

I gallop bareback, a filly named Sally, matching her movement—weightless, face whipped by mane, nose filling with musky sweat, leather, manure. Sally’s hooves, throbbing claps. Blinding sun— My shoulder bounces off rock,…

Jax and Alma By Carol Jones

Jax saw Alma’s head resting on her arm, flat on the cool surface of her desk. Her hair covered her face and spilled over the edge like a soft black waterfall. She…

My Aunt Knew Something by Anita Gorman

—I was sure of that. But what did she know? I was only ten, and I knew very little. She lived a train and bus ride from Grand Central Station, in Lake…