Henry Herbert Hildebrand had no idea what he was in for when he woke up on that clear Monday morning. He was aware of the dinosaur sleeping next to him, so conveniently given to him by the President of the United States mere days ago. He was aware of his surroundings; his giant deep sea…

  Henry Herbert Hildebrandt woke up and looked upon the world for the first time on a clear January morning, a Monday specifically, if you’re so inclined to know. His first gasp of air was taken into his lungs and immediately he felt more alive than he had ever felt before. Perhaps this was because…

Blaine propped his feet up on the coffee table and stuck a fork in his microwave dinner. It was Friday night, which usually consisted of TV, a few beers, and falling asleep on the couch in his underwear. The night progressed like many others. In the wee hours of the morning, Blaine woke to the…

It was a beautiful day. The sky was a brilliant blue that melded into the deep ocean waters in the clear horizon. I was helping Mom get the dinner we had just caught ready to eat. It was a fish with a long pointy nose. A swordfish, she called it. I had never seen a…

I will never forget the way my heart raced on that August evening, when that very attractive boy said hi for the first time. I wish I could go back to my freshman year and warn myself that his arms are big, and he is tall, and he has a very attractive face, and I…

  Bumping along the remote gravel road to the Rockport Hutterite colony gives me a chance to consider my expectations. I have none. Still, I try to clear my head of any preconceived notions and set aside my ideas of “normal” culture. We crest a hill, my husband and I, and below us, in a…

“I barely even know the woman! How would I know where she is?” I never thought in a million years I would be sitting in an interrogation room. Surprisingly, it looked exactly like those rooms you see on Criminal Minds. It was musky and dark with grey walls, one long white table, and an extremely…

Recently, I ran into some good fortune. Actually, I should say it ran into us. Jake, my dog, gets to come along for the ride. I spend these days roaming the forest with Jake, walking the trails I loved when I was a younger man, and dog was only a pup. Back then, I made…

  May 16, 2013: Dark brown coffee fills my tumbler to the rim and today is the day I graduate; four miserable years of high school will be coming to an end. Getting ready for the day ahead I start to suffer from some nostalgia of the last four years. Yes, things were miserable after…

A tall man passed looking as if flowing over the battlefield. The commanding air he had would have driven the eyes of everyone looking to himself, but all that lay before the man was death. His face was solemn beneath his long whitening beard. His eyes were deep with sorrow, as if the weight of…

  In high school, I thought I was good at everything. I was a straight A, honors, AP student, I was on the dance team, I was in all the musicals, I had run for student council, I was in 3 choirs, and I excelled in the school’s photography program. To further prove my “excellence”,…

  As a small child, I loved to carry around a tiny, black purse filled to the point that it is a wonder it never burst at the seams.  I stuffed the purse with a flashlight, mini tape measure, pen, notepad, something to chew on, and my favorite trinket, a porcelain angel that I had…

I wished to be called Dexter. A child strived to become the pinnacle of mental excellence. His peers requested for his help as those same peers challenged and questioned his aptitude. “You cheated!” No I didn’t; it was a speed test of 100 problems. “You’re not THAT smart. I bet I can beat you.” If…

Days of Youth A boy at play, outside, limbs flailing as he glides through patches of sun and deepening shadows, an octave lower than last week. Yesterday even. As he plays he invents the world. It is his alone, time nonexistent, no boundary for love and violence, both intense from within though he lacks words….

Earthly struggles are one of many The unknown fills the brain with worry. Ageing progresses like a growing tree, Leaves grow and fall wanting to be free Before it was known autumn was upon us and your leaves were falling. One by one another day passes and the end is calling Cool winds blow across…

Dear Mom, Dear Dad, There’s something I should say. Living my life, feeling sad, Now its a brave new day.   Never understood, though now I do. You both did the best you could, and my life’s no longer blue.   No manual for instruction. We do the best we can. You taught me to…

  I sharted myself today. Much to my dismay. It just happened. These kids in Montessori school. I tell you, they can be rather cruel. Sure, I made a little stool. Can’t I just catch a break? They should be dropped off at the pool. The horror, and oh, the mortification. I must take a…

The day you said divorce, Was the day you let it snow. Like a harsh, wet blanket of betrayal; The storm of the decade. I was buried in that blizzard Until I got up off the bathroom floor. The 2 am stillness mocked my shivers; Bitter, heavy flakes still falling from the orange sky. Tears…

The voices in my head Won’t shut up. They squawk and screech, An atrium in the zoo.   Sometimes they are few. Questioning acts to be made. Condemning those who are wrong. Like indignant dogs at fences.   Often the voices Are many. Demanding the participation That I cannot refuse.   Repeating, repeating, repeating… They…

He lives and dies a thousand times while she sits and lives a thousand lives To each their own and to each they teach   A book, a pen, a screen can be your saving grace Go forth find your best adventure Whether it be living a thousand lives through a text Whether it be…

Lighting strikes A flash then a crack Scary frightful invigorating …Cowering   Under covers darkness sought Bright light is no good Peer over to check if safe Soon hiding again   Longer pause this time Run! Run fast Don’t let the lightning capture Move when loudest is safest way   Though its scariest just move!…

It is unfair, to say the least, Like a gooey, green beast, A reminder to the have-nots.   A wish, a need A craving to see, My drawers overfilling with stuff.   A chill on my spine, Fur catches my eye, That coat deserving of better.   A rainbow bouquet, Way to ruin my day,…

He came, brethren before lie still, Triumphant, a divine gift bestowed. Absolute in control, Sought glory in war.   Built on a house of glass.   Filled half in Bourbon and half in gold, A fortune wasted on treasures untold. Sun King by name,   Built the house of glass.   My name is Scarlett,…

My name is Abdi Adan. I was born in a city call Kismayo. This city is located in the southern part of Somalia. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Somalia. It has a long coast and a beautiful river. My life was very comfortable, living with my family. I don’t mean we…

Frey wasn’t use to having writers block. Lyrics accompanied by musical notes usually flowed freely from her fingertips forming effortless songs. Her talent for songwriting was what landed her a job with Big Machine Records, a dream job that she had wanted since she was a child, and now she had it, but felt she…

  I waited until it was dark to leave the house. I listened carefully as I snuck past Mom’s bedroom to hear her breathing. She sounded like she was asleep, drawing deep, full breaths. I waited outside her door for a moment, poised to bolt back to my room if she stirred. She let out…