The Man in the Wet, Gray Fedora by Jim Parks

Gil by Pepe Nero

The Boy by Yvette Managan (Flys)

In A Windy Day in Connemara, Mari Fitzpatrick crafts a vivid portrait of natureFs raw power and serene beauty. The poem captures the rhythmic pulse of the ocean, the grace of seabirds, and the majesty of a lone deer in the coastal expanse. Through rich imagery and lyrical storytelling, it intertwines the chaos of the elements with the delicate balance of life, celebrating the untamed spirit of Connemara.

n Shiva by Ian Fisher, Ailbe orchestrates an extraordinary 75th birthday celebration for Ira, a reclusive man burdened by isolation. The lavish party features a Mandarin duck, snowfall, and virtual avatars of his favorite authors. Blending nostalgia and futuristic tech, it explores memory, connection, and human longing.

Drum School by Erik Svehaug, young Costas is cast out by his family into a life of hardship, eventually becoming a galley rower and discovering the transformative power of rhythm. Through grueling training, camaraderie, and mentorship, he finds redemption and purpose, his scars symbolizing resilience. A tale of loss, endurance, and identity, Costas journey honors his past while embracing a powerful future.

Exploring the ephemeral space between day and night, 'Down The Crack With The Crickets' by Kristine Jensen delves into the fleeting nature of thoughts and emotions. An angry thought disappears with the wind, symbolizing lost moments and the struggle to reclaim them.

Explore the poignant poem Mates by Iain C. Smith, dedicated to Jake and Patrick. Reflecting on the sudden loss of a young life, it intertwines themes of grief, camaraderie, and the fleeting nature of youth, as experienced through the lens of a soccer match metaphor.

"Explore the evocative poem 'Pipedream' by Iain C. Smith. A vivid blend of memory and observation, it captures a moment of reflection amidst a storm, evoking nostalgia and introspection about family, past experiences, and the transformative journey of life.

Take It

Perseid Fireflies

Prognosis Unclear

I Use To Think

Camlin

Paradise

learning to fly

Her

Blizzard by Nonnie Augustine

Cold, Cold Heart by Jim Haughey

"The Table in the Garden" is a testament to the power of nature to inspire, to heal, and to bring people together. It celebrates the simple, yet profound moments of connection that can occur in the midst of natural beauty.

"Barely Escaped" serves as a reminder of the complexity of life and the unexpected turns it can take, encouraging a reflective stance towards our actions and their consequences.

The poem serves as a tribute not just to Plath but to all who navigate life with an acute sense of sensitivity. It highlights the beauty and curse of such a disposition--the ability to perceive deeply and intensely

Higgins crafts a multi-layered narrative in a compact form, utilizing the image of the wasp and the actions surrounding it to delve into complex themes of fear, struggle, and the human condition.

Stan Long's "Apprehension" invites readers to ponder the origins of consciousness and its profound connection to the cosmos. The poemFs exploration of seeing, believing, and understanding reflects a deep curiosity about the nature of existence and our place within it. By weaving together themes of inner vision, evolution, and cosmic origins, Long crafts a contemplative piece that resonates with both scientific and philosophical inquiries.

The Basket Weaver" by Clare McCotter celebrates the art of basket weaving, juxtaposing traditional craftsmanship against modern therapeutic practices. The poem describes a newly qualified occupational therapist who embraces basket weaving, despite its outdated perception among peers. The narrator, considered a "basket case," finds solace in creating a basket, symbolizing a sanctuary for thoughts and prayers. Through vivid imagery and a reflection on change, the poem underscores the enduring value of hands-on creativity and its calming influence on the mind.

Camlin

Paradise

learning to fly

Her

In this tender garden elegy, Kathleen Cassen Mickelson reflects on memory, labor, and the quiet transformation of grief. Through pruning, presence, and green promise, the body remembers love-and turns sorrow into soil. A poem rooted in care and renewal.

Showcasing illustration: our 'Word Architect Page' complements the story and poetry in this issue. With a focus on imaginative expression, each piece captures the space that bridges the gap between text and metaphor, inviting readers to experience creativity through another lense!

Bringing Voice to life: Blending storytelling and poetry, and reinventing them for a modern audience. Also in our 'Meet the Characters' section you will find insightful AI breakout-fun conversations.

The Wishing Line

The Kelp Oracle

In Focus (July)

Whim Wharf

The New Constellation

In Picture on Picture, Mari Fitzpatrick captures the lively interplay of nature and imagination through a vivid cat-and-mouse chase by a rain barrel. Blending humor and reflection, she contrasts the raw vitality of the pursuit with the serenity of a garden setting. The piece evolves into a poetic exploration of movement, tension, and the delicate balance of life in its fleeting moments.

In The Mandylion, Joe Giordano intertwines art, danger, and family dynamics through the lives of Anthony and Valentina Provati. This gripping excerpt sets the stage for a high-stakes narrative as Anthony, a Manhattan art dealer, is drawn back into a dangerous world by Sophia, an alluring figure from his past. With Valentina’s sharp wit and FBI expertise, the siblings navigate temptation, loyalty, and the shadowy underbelly of the art world.

In Spanish New World Poetry, Stephen Zelnick examines Latin America's resilience amid imperialism, with Alfonsina Storni as a focal voice. Her poetry, from passionate to piercing, addresses themes of love, oppression, and self-liberation. Zelnick's analysis reveals Storni’s growth from romantic musings to a profound critique of machismo and social constraints, highlighting her lasting impact on Latin American literature and women's voices.

What Rose Wanted by Charles Bane, Jr. captures a yearning for intensity, adventure, and spiritual union. Rose desires a dramatic rescue under cover of night, a vivid chapel scene with colors illuminating her, and an all-consuming passion akin to a crusade. She envisions herself as a conquest, seeking devotion as fierce as the stars, blending themes of romance, mysticism, and self-surrender.

"In San Angel" by Mandy Macdonald immerses readers in the lively rhythms of a jacaranda-shaded plaza in Mexico. Tourists linger, rich Coyoacan girls strut across uneven streets, dog-walkers parade with spirited pets, and old men smoke by the fountain as green parrots fly past. This scene captures a vibrant slice of life, blending everyday elegance with a touch of whimsy as day fades into dusk.

Stephen Zelnick explores the life and legacy of Caesar Vallejo, Peru’s groundbreaking modernist poet. From his haunting work in Trilce to his Paris years, this essay delves into Vallejo's themes of suffering, identity, and poetic revolution in Latin America.

A meticulous government bookkeeper’s quiet life is upended when two armed convicts storm his usual diner. A darkly poignant tale of routine, bravery, and legacy, Miller's A Well Ordered Life explores the quiet dignity behind one man’s predictable world.

Winifred, a restless young fairy, leaves her woodland home in search of adventure and stumbles into a suburban garden where reality bites back. Joslin's whimsical tale of courage, chaos, and the hard-earned truth that becoming a Story Fairy means living the story first.

A whimsical prelude to the Queen’s croquet party--mischief, mistaken tulip bulbs, painted roses, and royal uproar. In an enchanted glade, garden boys, cooks, and Alice herself become tangled in a riot of colour and confusion. A playful twist on Wonderland tradition by Marie Lynam Fitzpatrick.

In a kingdom of living playing cards, flamingo mallets, and vanishing cats, Alice navigates a surreal croquet match where rules bend, tempers flare, and "Off with her head!" echoes at every turn. A wildly imaginative chapter from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

On the third Tuesday of every month, Elspeth joins her eclectic book group, navigating the peculiar dynamics and varied tastes of its members. This month, Alison presents "CassiopeiaFs Hair," a mysterious book with a murky past linked to her uncleFs strange death in Tangier. Despite warnings of the book bringing bad luck, the group decides to read it. Amidst personal revelations and conflicts, the enigmatic FreyaFs departure and a final twist leave Elspeth pondering the thin line between fiction and reality. A tale of intrigue, relationships, and the unexpected impact of a single book.

After a night of dancing, two elderly couples, James, Charlie, April, and Isabelle, leave the hotel ballroom in high spirits. Drunk on laughter and nostalgia, they reminisce about their youth, especially a memorable night swimming at sixteen. Deciding to relive that moment, they take a train to the beach, where under the cover of night, they strip down and wade into the cold water, feeling young again. This poignant story captures the essence of friendship, the passage of time, and the longing to reconnect with the past. Dive into a tale of joy, reflection, and timeless camaraderie.

"Elderflower Moon" by Sheree Mack is a lyrical and atmospheric poem that captures the reader's imagination with its vivid natural imagery and mystical elements. The poem invites readers to explore and find the speaker in a serene, enchanted setting, blending the boundaries between human presence and the natural world.

"Porcelain Prisoner" is a rich, multi-layered poem that explores complex themes through vivid imagery and a reflective narrative. It captures the essence of familial bonds and the enduring impact of memories, inviting readers to reflect on their own connections to the past.

The Deadly Poppy Field by L Frank Baum
Our little party of travelers awakened the next morning refreshed and full of hope, and Dorothy breakfasted like a princess off peaches and plums from the trees beside the river. Behind them was the dark forest they had passed safely through, although they had suffered many discouragements; but before them was a lovely, sunny country that seemed to beckon them on to the Emerald City.

In this gripping narrative, Saul, a tortured artist, navigates the treacherous waters of creativity and personal demons. Amidst the shadows of his past and the complexities of his relationship with Emily, he searches for truth in his art, embodying the quintessential struggle of the creator.

"Love Song of a Divorce Attorney" is a poignant exploration of the human condition, masterfully blending the personal with the professional, the emotional with the environmental, to reveal the complex tapestry of life that unfolds even in the most ordinary momen

This narrative provides a fertile ground for exploring themes of perception, reality, and the thin line between sanity and madness. It also touches on the deep human need for connection and understanding, and the ways in which people cope with challenging circumstances.

In this meditative poem, Oonah V. Joslin traces the spiral of connection and disconnection through time, matter, and memory. With echoes of Escher and DNA, the poem explores the fragile chemistry of identity, friendship, and the spectral nature of being.