JESSICA WORTLEY: Reproduction

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

The family at the next table look embarrassed and you don’t know if it’s because you eat alone, or because their children are squabbling over ice cream.

You read about genetics and look at the art on the walls. There is an empty seascape, and a crowded vase of daffodils.

Jessica is a published writer and a teacher, currently working towards a PhD in creative writing at Teesside University, England. Her first poetry pamphlet As if We Were the Trees, was published in 2015. Her writing has been published with Diamond Twig, Appletree Writers, Reside magazine and in Black Bough magazine, amongst other places.

KATHERINE DARLINGTON: Scent of Tears

Artistic, Poetry, Submissions, Top Stories, , , , ,

The market is busy
Lovers, arm in arm
Shop together

But She
Flirts with the flowers
Spilling over the corner aisle
Like her tears

She finds a delicate bouquet
With daisies and one rose
She’ll put them on her kitchen table
And pretend they’re from
Her Lover
(Who never
Was)

Katherine Darlington has articles in many publications including poetry anthologies, along with several published novels. When she isn’t riding horses or hiking on some mountain trail, she’s working on a story. See more of her work at katherinedarlington.com.

R HEMAMALINI: My Sanctuary

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

Walking next to him and watching his greying sideburns, my thoughts wandered to the joyous moments with the twins. Chasing the mirage of desires, had I not strayed too far? But his faith had anchored me back to the shore. Forgiven maybe, but will I be able to forgive myself?

R. Hemamalini is an aspiring writer in Turkish, a trained yoga teacher. and a yoga practitioner. See more at hrlockdownmusings.blogspot.com.

MAXIMILLIAN LAYLAND: Still Being

Artistic, Poetry, Submissions, , , ,

I don’t mind the meteor.
I do not mind
The ethereal veil finally broken.
Just once.
And every worry ever uttered,
Put to rest.
All assured.
And the dawn no longer assured…
Dawn. No longer. Assured.

I lie here, Today, the last,
with all questions answered,
forever and always,
Done.

Maximillian studies at UF, writes less than he’d like to, and is trying to fix this.

RE SCHELL: The Family Restaurant

Submissions, Touching, , ,

My parents started our restaurant with family recipes they brought from their home country. Years later, my young daughter began working here with me, just as I had with my parents.

“It’s okay, Dad. It’s time,” my daughter explained through tears, as we locked the doors for the last time.

R.E. Schell works in the biomedical field in California. He enjoys writing and has been published over fifty times in both the biomedical field as well as in fictional genres and poetry. He enjoys photography, literature, and travel. He also volunteers in animal rescue.

CHRISTOPHER GANNON: King of the Sour Mind

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

A yellow-stained newspaper clipping lands on the floor like a whisper. Forbidden sunlight embraces a crumpled mess that is human; a king tormented by his own opinions and beliefs in the land of the Sour Mind. In order to abdicate the throne, he only has to open his eyes.

Christopher Gannon is a storyteller from Buffalo, NY.

BILL COX: Down the Plughole

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

Jean enjoyed doing the dishes. It gave her time to think. With her hands soaked in suds she considered her relationship with Jamie, looking for a sign about how to proceed. And when she pulled the plug and watched the water gurgle down the drain, the answer came to her.

Bill lives in Aberdeen, Scotland. They say that the human body is ninety per cent water. Being Scottish, Bill’s body is actually forty-five per cent the water of life and forty-five per cent deep-fried sausage meat. The other ten per cent is smugness at living in the best country in the world.

KATI BUMBERA: Aurora

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

Aurora used to be a good girl: did her homework, helped her mum, lit up the Arctic sky with magic.

But at 15, she fell in with a gang of constellations.

They loiter at the harbour, play pranks on the whales, and reave the night sky of its lawful splendour.

Kati likes to write about snow and ice. This story was inspired by two separate trips to Iceland, where she failed to see the Northern Lights.

LISA MARIE LOPEZ: Lovely Pearls

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

Once the shop was quiet, she carefully removed the pearls from the glass display and slipped them into her coat pocket. Days later, she called them a gift. They lay heavy on her chest. Even tucked away in velvety lined drawers, the heaviness lingered. In time, they would outweigh everything.

Lisa Marie Lopez resides in northern California, where she enjoys writing in little coffee shops and taking peaceful walks. She’s had stories published in several different journals and venues, including Blink-Ink, From the Depths, and The Ocotillo Review.