**TRIGGER WARNING: Gun Violence Charlie sat on his little bed by the front window that Elsie made for him. That was his favorite spot in the whole apartment. He could people watch; some would even stop to talk to him. He would watch the squirrels and the birds. It was great. There was so much…
Year: 2022
Archived: River by Jeremy Rottini
Biography: While I briefly tinkered with art a few times during my teens and early adulthood, I didn’t really get serious about painting until a few months prior to the pandemic starting. The extra time I had at home during the pandemic allowed me to dive deeply into soft pastels and learn some of the…
Archived: Bobby by Dennis Taylor
I was a college freshman, Eastern Illinois University, on a full athletic scholarship. Free meals, free tuition, good roommate. Clai Dungy was a track star. Life is good! Brother Bobby (Robert Dale Taylor) was 10 years old and I was his hero. I took him everywhere. We went to football games, wrestling, baseball. We got…
Archived: The Space Between by Zoe Coats
Inhale. I could wax poetic About how time flies I’d write you a poem Stuffed with decadent lies Doubtless it would rhyme And mimic Dr. Seuss It would sound like a song And taste like an excuse But what would be the point? These words are a seeping syrup That varnishes each limb They…
Archived: Ernie by Promise Laino
Scene I [The lights are dimmed. Ernie’s mother (mama), sits slouched in a chair in her son’s hospital room sipping coffee. Ernie has just confessed to his mother that he had consumed yet another moldy poptart, but he was doing better now and they were preparing to go home. His mother wears a concerned expression…
Archived: Nature in Chaos (assorted haiku) by Everett Lewark
Cattails reeds stick up circling a pond the air smells of ash Bloom cherry blossoms lie on cement sneezes echo Fort a dog plays in snow mounds nestled on an SD card Salsify hands tremble down the moonlit hill seeds float in wind Old Tree in the cool of night tree branches worn to stumps…
Archived: Burning Cloth by Landon Shuey
A napkin? Or was it another word, probably lost to time Yet another piece of erased history, soon before its prime A candle blown out by the sleight of hand An ashen cloth carries itself across the land The spider caws, the crow weaves Soon to be whispered slowly upon unbroken dead leaves The candle…
Archived: The Flood
The Flood By Cindy Jewkes The window fills with muddy wet so fast, we can’t make a gain. We’re fish in an aquarium during the sudden summer rain. My feet go on a polar plunge, bullets of ice on skin leave pain. Must guide the flood away from home during the sudden summer rain….
Archived: Autumn Evening by Phillip Lara
Biography: My name is Phillip Lara, and I usually go by Phil. I am currently pursuing a video production degree at Aims in hopes of working with film as a career. I have always loved being in the mountains since I can remember. It wasn’t until I was inspired by a friend who took…
Archived: The craziest person I ever knew… by Cherise Gerrish
The craziest person I ever knew… packed his meager necessities, closed the door behind him, walked away from joy, drove beyond grief, pitched a tent beside chili peppers, bathed in the sunshine and a rain barrel, drank beer with the widowers, laughed with the children, painted his name on the desert sky, until his freed…
Archived: Little Yellow Flowers by Charlie Nelson
My mother and I used to walk in the meadow often. The little yellow dandelions seemed to whisper sweet messages in my ear. That was back when mother wasn’t sick. The last time we visited the meadow was October 3, 2002. The day before mom’s diagnosis. She had a tumor pushing against her lung, causing…
Archived: Go to waste by Carlos Santana
never knew how to let a bottle go to waste I love the feeling hate the taste I did it till I loved what I hate I did it till I loved what I hate Feeling like I’m too far gone it’s like the moon I’m on Can’t Breathe with these holes left from…
Archived: Cinder-Elliott by Amanda Schlichter
Long ago in a land far away, A boy named Cinder-Elliot did play. He was happy and free ’til that sad day came When his mother died and step-father placed blame. Years passed and Elliot toiled His step-brothers poked fun, his happy plans foiled. One day a change came by, When a royal messenger did…
Archived: December by Reina Bautista
a cold night in december of 2000 beeping of monitors and the chatter of nurses fill the room eyes begin to open, seeing new life this was it at 9:35pm we meet for the very first time the day our adventure had begun celebrating birthdays together almost like twins sort of being only a…
Archived: Until the Cherry Blossoms Bloom Again by Emma Serrano
Cold air pricks at my throat as I take a deep breath Sheets of snow cover the train tracks below This station has long since been abandoned So why do I still linger? You promised we would one day meet again “When the branches sprout blossoming petals” It seems that time will never come for…
Archived: Daydreaming by Riley McGee
Daydreaming Flying, Transcending All of the pain, All of the worry Dissipates as his soul escapes his body A lucid vision of ecstasy Yearning for something greater the rhythm guides him Searching for a purpose, the lyrics make him feel found Carefree, Joyful An unexplainable excitement, An unexplainable happiness The scenery of mountains and fields…
Archived: Fall by Jeremy Rottini
Biography: While I briefly tinkered with art a few times during my teens and early adulthood, I didn’t really get serious about painting until a few months prior to the pandemic starting. The extra time I had at home during the pandemic allowed me to dive deeply into soft pastels and learn some of…
Archived: There Is A Snake In My Boot by Trisha Nelson
Based on a true story “Miguel, you need to clean up your room!” Miguel could hear the irritation in my voice. He scurried to his room, and I could hear him picking up his toys and his shoes. It stopped suddenly after a few minutes. I marched to his bedroom, putting my hands…
Archived: The Weed in the Garden by Norma Keeney
I am looked upon as an annoyance that grows where grass should grow. I tower over the grass with my beautiful display of yellow flowers. Nevertheless, I am much more than that. I have the power to heal the human body. The liver loves me and cancer runs away from me. Yet, humans step on…
Archived: How to be a Non-Perfectionist by Amber Miller
I can’t really speak to what it’s like to be a perfectionist, but having grown up with a mother who is a hyper perfectionist, I can say, hallelujah. Instead of learning from her and learning how to meticulously iron clothes, measure, and fret over every tiny detail, I went the other direction. I developed skills…
Archived: Everything Gets Better! by Abby Moser
“Have you been feeling down, hopeless, or depressed?” No, because that’s not quite how I feel But my body is weary and tired Not willing itself to move Each morning an agonizing crawl To get out of the bed That has seen too much It understands that I crave the comfort And I am not…
Archived: Dread by Luca Lovato
I can’t believe I’m here. visited by an old friend The cold embracing me tightly In its disgusting falsely used love Lifting my feet, I bring my knees to my chest My pale hands gripping the boney shins While roots grow out of my head to display little orange containers of light They’re beautiful, the…
Archived: Confliction and Acceptance (Confliction Part Two) by Flynn Kleppe
Confliction Conflicting feelings, thoughts, ideas Apologizing for being a burden (even to myself) I’m trying to teach myself that logically, I am not a burden Anyone who says so isn’t needed in my life But after having these thoughts For so long And so often There’s no treasure map or instructions, Just a blank…
Archived: The Key by Ava Dudzak
It is the middle of fall and I am watching my younger brother play with his toy trucks in the backyard of my uncle’s house. Our parents always brought us here if they had a very important meeting to attend. Today was as slow as any other day at our uncle’s house. I could have…
Archived: The Message by Brenda Ottosen
I’ve read there are those who believe their loved ones were given a warning that death was approaching. Some were visited by loved ones who had already passed. Others felt the overwhelming need to prepare for a trip. And some people received a sign to escort them, or coax them, toward a bright light. The…
Archived: A Blanket by Kadie Jones
That’s all that was left, to show she had even been there in the first place. The red plaid fleece and Sherpa sat on the bed all by its lonesome, to remind him that no matter what, that would be her home. Some people leave their toiletries. You know, the ones that you can…
Archived: Swim Team by Cindy Jewkes
“Skylar, it’s time to GO!” I hollered while ushering Robbie and Nash into the family minivan. Goldfish crackers were permanently smashed into the carpets, and there was a neon yellow stain near Nash’s seat from spilled slime during a road trip. “I’m coming!” came Skylar’s voice from the bathroom. “Don’t forget your swim bag!” The…
Archived: Jay by Anna Johnson
Jay He answers the door and asks “How’s my favorite EMT?” Jay has been here before and remembers me This time Jay asks “what’s going on with this toilet?” 6’0” tall he stands in the door At 62 years young with glasses to show it With those white New Balance shoes too you know…
Archived: Posted by Noah Berris
The death of American sportsmanship and liberty Will come at the hands of barbed wire fence and “No Trespassing” signs We will no longer be allowed to roam as barefoot children under big skies and rocky peaks The trout will still rise and the elk will still bugle But these things will be shackled to…
Archived: Ohio by Noah Berris
Do you remember the day you were born? Your mother’s cries shaking the walls of your wegiwa. While the lead from the white men splintered your home, And took your father from you. Do you remember the sounds of your squalls? The way they fluttered through the air like a hamo searching for an orchid….
Archived: Mittens by Breanna Lloyd Green
I was like a doll, Ragged and torn, On the verge of falling apart, Then you came into my life, And started to parch me up. But now that you are gone, I am starting to tear again, I miss your hugs, I miss your inquiries on how I am, I miss you constant…
Archived: A Night in Siena by Cindy Jewkes
When I was a college freshman living in the dorms, a girl in my hall lent me her Josh Groban CD, insisting that I just had to listen to it. I was entranced by the exotic, beautiful music and immediately fell in love with the sound of the Italian language. Maybe it just sounded really…
Archived: Christmas Caps by Brooke Pippin
My father emphasized traditions and Christmas was no exception Always, button up shirts and glasses of eggnog around the dinner table Regardless of heavy and humid Decembers in Alabama But none was heavier than when his seat was left bare My mother bought the biggest tree, it scraped the ceiling And never had I…
Archived: Through the Darkest Nights by Phillip Lara
Biography: My name is Phillip Lara, and I usually go by Phil. I am currently pursuing a video production degree at Aims in hopes of working with film as a career. I have always loved being in the mountains since I can remember. It wasn’t until I was inspired by a friend who took photos…