“Yellow” by Katelyn Vause
The color of my childhood was yellow. Pine pollen pooled like spilled paint in puddles, sprinkled across windshields and wide lawns. The heat of the southern sun warmed my skin, clumsily clasped grasshopper legs cut my fingertips between trips to the oak tree, where a number two pencil tracked my misadventures. I scattered […]
“Twin Fawns” by Judith Stanton
Two fawns barely old enough to graze slip inside the white taped fence from the shelter of the woods, their spots still bright, their mother on patrol. I look away and sigh at the disorder of my kitchen—last night’s pasta with Italian sausage onions and green peppers took a lot of pots. I […]
“Come Spring” by Patty Cole
I saw a Blue Jay fuss a black snake off its gnarled branch this morning. A fox stole away with one of our chickens last night, and in a cardboard box on the kitchen floor Kitty is nursing her babies. Skull Camp Mountain is bearing again. How the daffodils brighten every open space, […]
“Sonnet 1 ” by Linda Blotzer
I won’t forget the Red-winged Blackbirds’ song They sing, O Conk-er-ree O Conk-er-ree Return of Spring, they flock one million strong I never heard them here before, you see I cannot spy them, though, in trees too high They sat on swaying cattails by our lake O Conk-er-ree, O Conk-er-ree, one cries His […]
“Benediction” by A. Kissel
Wise prophets these old trees, leaves like hands in prayer, shelter to birds and insects, all chirring in plainsong below. They call to every bud, every stone, every blind worm turning earth. Rivers never wonder; day and night stars simply hide and shine. The winds need no reason for when and where they […]
“Fetch” by E.V. Noechel
The sour stinging smell of a new tennis ball. Acrid and headachy. Delicate with newborn fuzz. I toss, you retrieve, dog of my dad dead three days now. I trimmed your mats and fed you Campbells soup for lack of dogfood. You sniffed his body, nudged him, maybe howled. When no one came 12 […]
“I Hear Say” by Carol Phillips
God is angry, I hear say Frogs sit on lilies and cry wah Winds blowing, seas rising, waters flooding Trees rip, sands shift, homes crumble Mantle breaking, ground heaving, splitting Walls fall, buildings tumble, dogs sniff death Mountains rumbling, fiery rock spewing People scramble, sacred cows saved Eagles fighting, lambs […]
“Memories of You” by Tom Davis
Memories, Like ancient ghosts, Haunt the attic of my mind Burning kindling’s pungent smell Hovering In crisp fall air Lovers skating Arm in arm Across frozen pond White cotton sheets Beneath thick quilts Your body next to mine Gardenia’s scent Floating On soft spring breeze Lazy hum of bumble bee […]
“BLUEBERRIES” by Leela Ellis
A pail full Of dark blue sun Sparkling With dew drops BLUEBERRIES In the breakfast bowl Tasting Like sunlight In a field of flowers BLUEBERRIES The darkness of midnight Cherished by Summer sun BLUEBERRIES Like high school lovers Pridefully declaring their love With purple and crimson […]
“Compost” by Janet Ford
Black gold, my mother called it, lifting a fistful, letting it crumble from a gloved hand; apple skins, parings lapsed cabbage turned like rags to the riches of land. Everything living will live again. Water was standing in the garden after rain and she slogged across in her loose galoshes to rake another […]