Issue 45

Catherine LoFrumento

half-eaten plum a canoe drifts over the moon

David Anthony Sam

Orion starks south scabbard clear in three stars-- summarized infinity

Karen Edwards

Somber gray skies cool breezes belie the nature of the season

Allison Paoli

Dew forms slowly Pearling her stem A sultry hydration

Suzanne Cottrell

Prevailing ocean currents commanded. Undulations churned glass fragments. High tide scattered pastel treasures.

Laurie Beringer

Arid riverbed abides stingy skies Endless cloud wisps streaming Latent life held hostage

Bruce Levine

sweet september fly-fish casting swallows nesting and honey bees

Deborah Davitt

Backyard telescope— wrapped in blankets, we seek the stars.

Fiona Jenkins

Whispered dreams on summer winds water greeting river stones skies like painted brush strokes

Jody Larson

Draped in fog far north of Golden Gate, Mendocino is filled with ghosts. They look in at old doors and windows.

Robyn Campbell

Silent tranquil hushed like an ocean quiet strength

Wendy Lee Klenetsky

Baby falls asleep We tiptoe by her bedroom Not a sound is heard

William Turner

feather falling calm collapse floating effortless and slow abandoned the nest becomes

Mare Smith

Intricate threads secretly woven Silent cries snipped breathless Isolated tears eternally quieted

Jackie Hosling

Observing like a sentinel Wide eyed, wise bird, blinking Lethal claws wait patiently

Janet Carnahan

Hummingbirds stir the air Flashes of hues inspire Misty rainbows

MaryCatherine Harper

matchbox sparrow deep sleep tonight resurrection tomorrow

Adam Sprague

Lips move deaf ears-- Kitchen tables in the morning

Scott Hicks

which is louder, silent thought, or blank page?

Erin Castaldi

Daddy long legs Cold stone corner Long summer shadows

Bill Melton

lofty skein of geese a soundless wedge winging north into the twilight

Jeanice Davis

how bright this darkness cloud shadows over fields flow we—only silhouettes

Barbara TW

my lunatic heart beats like moth to her, frantic for flame

Zach Agnew

Softly the locust hum. Their unheard song, Warning of the coming swarm.

Jim Gustafson

Amadeus knew the space that separates inhale from ex, hauls the living through the body’s dark alleys.

Robert Allen Lupton

Years entwine our hearts familiar love grows stronger age enhances the wine

Penny Michalski

Clouds race across sapphire skies Breezes deliver lilacs Memories hitchhike.

Laurie Decker

Early morn, sliver of sun Prized lily spreads her petals Droplets of dew fade to air

Anna Cates

the peach pit sprouts— summer sunset

Anna Cates

summer’s toad the primordial garden livid with weeds

Susan Field

Golden koi shimmer, Swim soundlessly, Bubbles surface amid indigo water.

Maria DePaul

Agave bloom spikes Twenty foot tower Century's end

GAYLE COMPTON

Marijuana ripens on John Attic Ridge Chevron of geese winging south- Autumn in Peabrook

Miles Kelley

The toad crawls the hole made for winter. Following, I slip under the glass of well water.

Tracy Davidson

post-harvest stillness worms wriggle through fallen fruit autumn's bounty

Joshua Lipson

You who make yourself rare flint remorseless in the shadow of the stair.

Aubrey Buck

Wax candles cannibalize themselves Burning white dots dripping Smoky wisps remain curling

Jennifer Montgomery

mourning doves low notes echo in stillness

Jennifer Smith

Fog rises over river Hands close over headlights Lures the sleepy back to bed

Kristen Jorden

Fall Friday, sun angled in the spell before evening when it feels like stolen time

Kip Knott

A lone cloud, silver-edged like a razor, nicks night’s throat, bleeding sunrise out of the dark.

Michael Flanagan

dawn flows up pressing night and the silence into tomorrow

Kelli Geopfert

Sad beauty spills on eyes grown shrouded and empty the virgin reclines

Adrian Villarreal

Windmills and arms rotate around, giving life to a dying world

H. Edgar Hix

Dandelion lovers are unimpressed by the armory of roses.

Christa Planko

Leaden clouds hang low, heavy grey thoughts downweighing drops trailing my cheek.

Mia Altamira

Whisper me the nightfall Damp between dusk and dawn Panting with stars

Susan Schmidlin

Alongside the tranquil water Troubles of the day Float slowly away from me

Marie Gaspari

Old roses climb the broken fence Clothesline abandoned to afternoon sun And everywhere the scent of the sea

Jackie Maugh Robinson

Comes aspinning Your pastel strands O dawn weaver