Poetry

Featured image for ““Elkhorn,” “Badlands,” and “Grand Canyon””

“Elkhorn,” “Badlands,” and “Grand Canyon”

Ellie Snyder

It looks near the peak like wind has rubbed alpine grass
from the clean-edged boulders like paint from the head
of a statue of a child. You take a photo of Hank and me
in which we are invisible against a mountain of ankle-
breaking gaps.
Featured image for ““Sit Tibi Terra Levis,” “To Li Po,” and “Dilly Dali””

“Sit Tibi Terra Levis,” “To Li Po,” and “Dilly Dali”

Jack D. Harvey

But it won’t be;
gravis, gravis, gravis,
be sure of that.

The good books tell us
feed the hungry
be kind and loving
to kith and kin
Featured image for ““Life from the Perspective of a Coffee Cup” and “The Season of Almost-Gone””

“Life from the Perspective of a Coffee Cup” and “The Season of Almost-Gone”

Emily Tonnu

Today, I begin as a hollow “O”:
a ceramic lung waiting for the steaming pour,
the sensation of an honest heat.
Mostly, I am grateful for the hands:
the way they cradle my frame.
Not to own. Never to own.
Featured image for ““We Need Love,” “Passion Pop,” and “Always At Home””

“We Need Love,” “Passion Pop,” and “Always At Home”

JD Del Rey

We need love
When there’s nothing
Left to share.
We need love
When all is
Hardening cement.
We need love
Featured image for ““Institutionalized Hopelessness,” “Steeplechase,” and “Transcendent””

“Institutionalized Hopelessness,” “Steeplechase,” and “Transcendent”

Ailish NicPhaidin

The mind must break through the chains
Of enslavement and petty property owners.
Emancipate the mind
The heart will follow
The truth, always in turmoil,
Will not fall between the cracks
Featured image for ““Parenting without Punctuation,” “Grief cannot be Out Run,” and “Coin of existence””

“Parenting without Punctuation,” “Grief cannot be Out Run,” and “Coin of existence”

David Beddow

born on Woodridge lane
love nurtures connection
try so hard in a toddler’s arms
first steps first words first school day
first dance first driving lesson
Featured image for ““Hoping Against Wisdom,” “Agape,” and “Youth””

“Hoping Against Wisdom,” “Agape,” and “Youth”

Janessa Graham

A heart lacking good sense,
chasing after its yearn
like a bull to its treacherous
slaughter, praying
for its plans to see the
light of success
Featured image for ““The Daughter,” “The Mother,” and “The Grandma””

“The Daughter,” “The Mother,” and “The Grandma”

Pin-Han Li

The night—quiet but full of hushed bickering—
returned. I put on headphones, but in vain.
The moon was bright yet restlessly flickering.

Looking at the photos on the wall—once sweet—
I could feel the lies and yelling

Poetry

Featured image for ““Elkhorn,” “Badlands,” and “Grand Canyon””

“Elkhorn,” “Badlands,” and “Grand Canyon”

Ellie Snyder

It looks near the peak like wind has rubbed alpine grass
from the clean-edged boulders like paint from the head
of a statue of a child. You take a photo of Hank and me
in which we are invisible against a mountain of ankle-
breaking gaps.
Featured image for ““Sit Tibi Terra Levis,” “To Li Po,” and “Dilly Dali””

“Sit Tibi Terra Levis,” “To Li Po,” and “Dilly Dali”

Jack D. Harvey

But it won’t be;
gravis, gravis, gravis,
be sure of that.

The good books tell us
feed the hungry
be kind and loving
to kith and kin
Featured image for ““Life from the Perspective of a Coffee Cup” and “The Season of Almost-Gone””

“Life from the Perspective of a Coffee Cup” and “The Season of Almost-Gone”

Emily Tonnu

Today, I begin as a hollow “O”:
a ceramic lung waiting for the steaming pour,
the sensation of an honest heat.
Mostly, I am grateful for the hands:
the way they cradle my frame.
Not to own. Never to own.
Featured image for ““We Need Love,” “Passion Pop,” and “Always At Home””

“We Need Love,” “Passion Pop,” and “Always At Home”

JD Del Rey

We need love
When there’s nothing
Left to share.
We need love
When all is
Hardening cement.
We need love
Featured image for ““Institutionalized Hopelessness,” “Steeplechase,” and “Transcendent””

“Institutionalized Hopelessness,” “Steeplechase,” and “Transcendent”

Ailish NicPhaidin

The mind must break through the chains
Of enslavement and petty property owners.
Emancipate the mind
The heart will follow
The truth, always in turmoil,
Will not fall between the cracks
Featured image for ““Parenting without Punctuation,” “Grief cannot be Out Run,” and “Coin of existence””

“Parenting without Punctuation,” “Grief cannot be Out Run,” and “Coin of existence”

David Beddow

born on Woodridge lane
love nurtures connection
try so hard in a toddler’s arms
first steps first words first school day
first dance first driving lesson
Featured image for ““Hoping Against Wisdom,” “Agape,” and “Youth””

“Hoping Against Wisdom,” “Agape,” and “Youth”

Janessa Graham

A heart lacking good sense,
chasing after its yearn
like a bull to its treacherous
slaughter, praying
for its plans to see the
light of success
Featured image for ““The Daughter,” “The Mother,” and “The Grandma””

“The Daughter,” “The Mother,” and “The Grandma”

Pin-Han Li

The night—quiet but full of hushed bickering—
returned. I put on headphones, but in vain.
The moon was bright yet restlessly flickering.

Looking at the photos on the wall—once sweet—
I could feel the lies and yelling