Tag Archives: pride

MICHAEL DE LA PENA: The Call to Agriculture

Adventure, Submissions, , , , ,

A victorious army marched upon the capital.

As crowds came out to exalt the old general, the green-eyed and white-knuckled king clutched his crown. In the general’s honor, he arranged for a feast spiked with aconite.

However, the general had already made his escape, and elsewhere, a farmer came home.

Michael De la Peña’s parents blame his near-sightedness on the fact that he has always had his nose buried in a book since the age of nine. However, he still has a clear view of all the myriad of designs that bounce around inside his head, and his daydreams, permutations of each mental blueprint. He is often elbow-deep in his latest project with his brow furrowed.

ROBERTA BEACH JACOBSON: Iowa Poets

Artistic, Poetry, Submissions, , , ,

Under the stars, Iowa poets dance
from stanza to stanza, barnyard to barnyard
all across the state
Have you not noticed them?

Let’s celebrate with the poets of Iowa
and sip herbal tea together in cornfields
as we share our secrets in verse
by the light of the harvest moon

Roberta Beach Jacobson admits to being one of these poets.

PHIL HUFFY: Quick Lunch

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

He’d learned that there was no Santa Claus early on, precociously reading gift labels marked “from Santa” on packages Grandma had brought in from her ancient Buick.

Now the same sick feeling emerged as he witnessed a magnificent bald eagle, prince of the skies, dining crow-like, shameless, on roadside carrion.

Phil Huffy writes at a Cheerio-stained kitchen table in Rochester, New York.

KELSEY JOSEPHSON: Dress Code

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, , , , , ,

“You can’t wear that!”

“Why?”

“It’s hot pink, and too short!”

“So?”

“We’re going to church!”

“Jesus won’t mind.”

“But your legs. Everyone will see-”

“See what?”

Silence.

“I’ll wear what I want, when I want.”

Elderly Mrs. Franks wore the dress to church, scarred legs and all.

“Oh, Mom.”

Kelsey Josephson is an introvert who enjoys connecting with others through writing and mixed-media. She lives with her husband, two young children, and a very sensible cat. She can be found on Instagram.

ANN SANGWIN: This Boy

Submissions, Touching, , , , ,

The boy who hated Dick and Dora
And found writing difficult
Now writes books

The boy who kicked against authority
And school discipline
Now commands a lecture hall

The boy who “failed” the 11+
Went on to prove himself
And became a professor

This boy will always be my boy

Ann Sangwin is a retired teacher, now a career grandmother. She has written all her life but until recently has not thought of submitting for publication. She lives in Kent and is part of a writing group, which has changed her life.

FRED ZACKEL: God and the Devil

Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

God said, “I give you life!”

The Devil said: “I want more than life!”

Then the sin of pride sent the demon

tumbling like crooked dice

down the stairway to heaven.

One question the Devil still asks:

“Did I fall or was I pushed?”

The fight to know consumes him.

Fred Zackel teaches literature at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He is the author of COCAINE AND BLUE EYES and MURDER IN WAIKIKI, and these and other writings are available on Kindle.