All submissions go through a student editorial board for selection which is overseen by Aims faculty. Submission does not guarantee publication. There are two levels of publication. Because we have a limited number of pages we can print, not every accepted piece will be in the print magazine. Please read your acceptance letter carefully!: Print:…
Author: Review Advisor
For Tony Park, In Memoriam by Evan Oakley
Mentor, enduring friend, and poet comrade. How I miss him. Fragments of poetry, riffs of music, fleeting images from the prairie world of his Wyoming childhood, amusing things his neighbors said . . .Tony loved to collect the lyrical and quickly fleeting things of this world. As a poet and photographer, he captured all he…
Buried Bones by Tony Park
Colorful mysteries rise and fall at the high tide of my immense love. I linger in a communion that sweetens the life of beings and things. My now buried bones nestle in a vital miracle devoted as a prayer.
A Young Man by Tony Park
When I was a young man, I’d go down the street with my soul’s briefcase, and an empty wallet. I‘d wear a blind shirt, a green chameleon tie, my soul’s jade boots, and the blush of his sky. I would button my raincoat listening to the blue dawn’s echo. My soul’s anxious gaze stared through…
Laughing Swallows by Tony Park
When the moon dropped a thousand laughing swallows, the streetlights on the block went out, and my eyes began to shine. I tipped the flame of a candle to the dark honey wick of very serene nights. I engaged with an alphabet that bloomed to erase my sadness from a pain in love with a…
Entomology by Tony Park
Bees live in a luminous morning opened to a delicious mouth of honey. A hoverfly with a sunrise on its belly floats luminous like an ocean wave. A swarm of glistening butterflies reverberate in a glistening valley of light. Red lipped carpenter ants grow wings to fly into a willow entangled in rain. The iridescent…
Because by Tony Park
It rains because dawn arrives slowly. It dawns because of an old wonder. It wonders because of a wink seeking joy. It winks because of curious creatures. It’s curious because a flame undressed. It undressed because a mirror kissed bones. It kisses because violets submerge. It submerges because a spirit rolls its name. It rolls…
Another Kingdom by Tony Park
What I would not give for another kingdom where I imagine my mother in a meadow, holding all those birds that know her path. What I would not give for a miracle illuminated by lightning that lasts until dawn while transversing mysterious limits. What I would not give for my destiny’s faithful guest that searches…
Spit-Balling with God by Tony Park
I asked you to turn me into a dove, but to be honest, I don’t remember what you said, although I think I remember a chuckle, or maybe it was a guffaw. I asked you to turn me into a bell, and your look said, Who is going to pull its rope one last time?…
Alzheimer’s Leads Me to a Dark Room by Tony Park
I perceive in myself stranded in untwisted anger for what has already happened. I long for the tender light of a honeysuckle, and a dandelion as well. Now my life wanders down two paths. One leads to a vibrant breeze dancing in the presence of the strange essence, and distant laughter discovered in the eternal…
Crimes by Zachary Padilla
A story to tell and A secret to hide With a man full of sorrow, Truly A smile that was needed to barrow Like a passing storm with a bull for the mind. He whimpers, as he realizes his time Once he hangs, a sad song sings for the blind It must be admitted that…
Time Passes by Kylie Krise
Time passes when we are young Slowly every day Days seem to take forever The clock never stops. Time passes when we are young Waiting for kindergarten Finally the day is here The clock never stops Time passes when we are young Then middle school Next is graduation day The clock never stops. Time passes…
The Giraffes are all Gone by Kylie Krise
It’s time to clean out her room Starting a new chapter Childhood memories dusted off The giraffes are all gone. Sorting between what stays and what goes Thinking about next week They used to keep her company The giraffes are all gone. Packing what will be taken College, her childhood dream Nightmares woke her up…
Equation of a Rainbow by David Sordi
Red + Black + Brown + White + Yellow =========== Humanity Biography: In January 2022, I moved here from New Hampshire to join the Aims Industrial Technologies and Oil & Gas programs. My career has been spent in industry and engineering, in which my creative side was not always of particular importance. Writing poetry…
Alone in Belief by David Sordi
Standing Alone in heart Solitary in spirit Turmoil Tear stained cheeks A leg bends slowly Knee to ground Prayers offered Peace Hope and understanding Deliverance The hush breaks Hell is unleashed Devil Deluge of hatred Rivers of vitriol A shot rings out A heart pierced Life torn asunder Blood sears soil Anonymous Fatal Spirit ebbs…
Empty by Marian Hesse
I am letting all the colors out They’re cluttering up my mind Biography: Marian Hesse is a professional musician actively involved in writing and photography. Marian began taking classes at Aims when it was only a few small cowering in the shadow of the water tower in the 1970’s. The classes covered liberal arts…
Dad by Marian Hesse
Drifting through the space like a scent I can’t quite recall Intense and heavy like a weight on my mind Often it is visible, and I can trace the source You with the cigar enjoying your life. Biography: Marian Hesse is a professional musician actively involved in writing and photography. Marian began taking classes…
The Last Time by Marian Hesse
The last time we walked Walking on the street through the hot Arizona neighborhood You stopped to pull a weed in someone else’s yard, a plant out of place where it didn’t belong The day you ran away, and strangers found you, thirsty and frail, on the busy road We…
Lost and Found by Marian Hesse
My memories are locked away somewhere Maybe in a box or a chest Somewhere safe. So hidden even I can’t find them You need to find them for me so I can forget them. Biography: Marian Hesse is a professional musician actively involved in writing and photography. Marian began taking classes at Aims when it…
Mrs. Claws by Marian Hesse
The fog rolls into a frog That my sister bought for me To care for the cat That hides under the bed Mrs. Claws Biography: Marian Hesse is a professional musician actively involved in writing and photography. Marian began taking classes at Aims when it was only a few small…
Life by Marian Hesse
SHARP corners Now filled with dust FRAGMENTS of AWARENESS Keep or toss Biography: Marian Hesse is a professional musician actively involved in writing and photography. Marian began taking classes at Aims when it was only a few small cowering in the shadow of the water tower in the 1970’s. The classes covered liberal…
Echo by Marian Hesse
There was a distant sound like music, Too ethereal to be A hint of subtle tone, to break the monotony As the sound faded along with the wind, Biography: Marian Hesse is a professional musician actively involved in writing and photography. Marian began taking classes at Aims when it was only a few small…
Life by Brandon Molina (2nd Place Winner)
Expectations… Created by… Society A checklist of value Measuring… You and me We wake up every day With a job to do Suppress your emotions Don’t let them break through Have all the answers You’re the one they look to Ignoring our emotions… Has become nothing new I am society Who’s rules dictate If you…
Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá by Martin Rios Banuelos (1st Place Winner)
It was a Sunday afternoon, and my parents were determined They packed their belongings and got my siblings ready Today was the day, their lives would change forever, knock, knock, knock The Coyote¹ was here “Is everyone ready”? Along the way they were encountered by The Cartel. “WE DEMAND ALL YOUR POSSESSIONS” … “What Possessions”?…
Change for the Better by Dylan Sargent (3rd Place Winner)
We must grow and improve, make positive change. We must learn from the past to broaden our range. Some of us are so set in our ways, open your ears and listen for a change. We can learn a lot from each other, a philosophy which shouldn’t be strange. By sharing our perspective and point…
Archived: The Devil Went Down to Albuquerque by Zoe Coats
The Devil went down to Albuquerque God knows why He went to the place Where dreams go to die He wore a hooded cloak To bask in his own tenebrosity He took some anger management To fix his animosity The road was long And the cucumber green In Albuquerque he found A bloody scene Most…
Archived: Ichorous Hamartia by Eliza Bratt
Who taught Icarus to run from home? To run to golden arms of unsettling perfection? To hold tight to something so beyond reach it would be his undoing? Did he know? That each second spent would slowly steal the color from his hair? That each kiss would leave a darkened sun-mark on his sand-pale skin?…
Archived: Chasing the Requiem by Erica Hansen
Disguised in animosity and briskly walking She boarded the ship The sea gently rocking She could smell adventure in the salty ocean air The constable eyed her strangely As she chewed on her hair She tried to control her breathing Which would have been easier if she hadn’t been grieving The entanglement, still fresh in…
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: 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: Dew Drops on a Misty Morning by Eliza Bratt
Biography: I’ve always been inspired by the world around me: by the beauty in a simple sunset, the power in a rainstorm, the ethereal wonder in a perfect view. I aim to capture the beauty of the world in the few ways I know how. I’m inspired by the wonderful people around me and…