Tag Archives: space

STEPHANIE HURLEY: My North Star

Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

It was always our thing — searching for familiar shapes in the inky black. Even in Dad’s hospital room, his tired eyes watching and monitors softly beeping, I found Polaris through the telescope. Something to guide me.

Now, in the silence, all I can see is the dark between the stars.

Stephanie Hurley is a writer and English teacher based in Manawatū, New Zealand. She is passionate about all things creative; in particular, using writing to examine the world around her. Her work has been published in Tarot and Mote.

WILLIAM MITCHELL: Lies I Tell my Optometrist

Adventure, Amusing, Submissions, , , , ,

“No car crashes? Violent impacts?”
He leans in, puzzling over my retinas’ freakish blood vessels.
“No,” I reply.
“You do boxing?”

I could tell him: International Planetary Response Force, Top Secret missions battling Sagittarian cruisers beyond Sirius, high g manoeuvres just below lightspeed.

The world ain’t ready.

“Insurance,” I say.

William Mitchell lives in East Sussex in the South of England. He is an award-winning author, having had early success with various Horror and Science Fiction publications before winning the Writers of the Future contest in 2012. His first novel, CREATIONS, came out in 2014 with John Hunt Publishing.

MITCHELL BIGGS: Voyager

Adventure, Submissions, , , ,

the loneliest satellite
fifteen billion miles from home
one eight-track to keep me entertained
and just a simple calculator brain
but I voyage on
sending signals and messages back
not knowing how to return
or where this trip is taking me
but I know—
I carry something of great importance

Mitchell Biggs is a poet based out of the Skagit Valley in Washington State. Growing up near the Salish Sea, he found his creative muses in the natural world, in the DIY music scene and in endless stacks of thrifted paperbacks. His work has been featured in Writer’s Hour Magazine and Dissident Voice.

TERY GALLAGHER: The Visit

Adventure, Submissions, Top Stories, , , ,

Seeds fill the sky then rain upon the earth. Wherever they land—water, soil, brick, or concrete—the seeds attach and grow. And grow. Connecting, they draw energy from anything within reach. Anything.

Satiated, as one they pulsate, causing nascent seedlings to explode skyward, continuing their endless journey of renewal.

Tery has been an actor, director and teacher, and is now trying his hand at writing. A cat lover, he is ruled over by Linus, Bela and Fluff.

ED WALKER: Momentum

Adventure, Artistic, Submissions, , ,

The astronaut’s tether breaks. She has suit air for several minutes and, tying her backpack to the remaining line, slings it away from the space station, hoping for the best.

A child sees a shooting star. Her father says, “Make a wish.”

“I wish mommy could be here with us!”

Ed Walker is a retired engineer currently living in Catalunya, Spain. His work can be found in The Arcanist, Blink-Ink and elsewhere.

ELLIS SHUMAN: Jupiter Aligned With Mars

Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

A multitude of stars and their constellations. A fleeting meteorite or two. A moon larger than life. Time stretching to the edge of the visible universe and beyond. Wonders unknown. I fondly recall growing up in the country, and how my walks in the fields after dark enlightened me.

Ellis Shuman is an American-born Israeli author, travel writer, and book reviewer. His writing has appeared in The Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel, The Oslo Times, and The Huffington Post. He is the author of The Virtual Kibbutz, Valley of Thracians, and The Burgas Affair. His short fiction has appeared in Isele Magazine, Vagabond, Literary Yard, The Write Launch, Adelaide Literary, and other literary publications. You can find him at https://ellisshuman.blogspot.com/.

MATT McHUGH: Beyond the Garden Wall

Adventure, Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

“They did it, dad,” Chris Borman said. “The Alcubierre Drive. Faster-than-light travel. Your grandchildren will go to the stars, like you went to orbit.”

Colonel Borman’s palsied hand shook. Chris held his astronaut father’s bluing fingers, knowing he had told him the last lie he would ever need to hear.

Matt McHugh was born in suburban Pennsylvania, attended LaSalle University in Philadelphia, and after a few years as a Manhattanite, currently calls New Jersey home. See more at mattmchugh.com.

GARY THOMSON: Riches

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

On his ninth Christmas, Adam presses inquisitive eyes to his new telescope. Magis’ candles, he marvels, christening fiery stars with childhood’s fancy, forging a closeness against their remoteness.

Aged eighty, he discovers a new star, eternalizes his name. He shuns ensuing fame, only savors his lifelong glimpse into heaven’s mystery.

Gary Thomson is old enough to know better, but he still wishes on falling stars.

NATALIE PARSONS: Breath

Adventure, Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

They touched our faces, stroked our clothes, fingered our chain-laden necks, loaded us into the coffins. They set the coordinates.

“Why?” I said. “The world is big enough!”

“Hush; there is no air left for you. You took it away when you started breathing.”

“Besides,” another added, “space is bigger.”

Natalie Parsons is a writer and blogger, and she’s trying hard this year to get really good at it. Find more of her writing at itspastmybedtimebut.wordpress.com.

SARAH CAROLINE BELL: Singular

Submissions, Touching, , , ,

Looking toward the ringed gas giant
the man in the moon asks
whether 82 moons (29 unconfirmed!)
would keep him company—
or simply keep him awake?
Darkness descends.
The ever present question
runs through his mind; his nightly habit.
Nobody answers.
In silence, he forever contemplates
the great looped wanderer.

Sarah Caroline Bell is a writer based in Seoul. She imagines the universe as a sentient organism.