In the town’s village squareUnder the shady chestnut treeI silently rested thereAnd thoughtfully asked the old tree“Can you keep me safe here?Protect me from what I cannot see”       Away from loaded guns      Pointed at daughters and sons      Away from bullets and bombs      Meant for dads and ...

I’m always stopping short, butting against the glass. I know if I made a fist, a proper fist, and swing, I could shatter it. But every time, I only end up with my fingers leaving prints and streaks as I watch, afraid to be seen. It’s only my careful reflection that needs to be known. ...

I am the definition of insanity and a god of abandoned dreams. Glory, I’ve left behind. I extend my hands and roll my stone up mountains of good intentions and career paths. I have yet to reach the top of any of them. I’m finished. I fall to my knees and say, “I give up.” ...

I’ve always loved Halloween! So when I saw the black and red advertisement on social media asking for haunted house people, I applied without a second thought. “Sign-ups for haunters—50 bucks a night, free pizza, and scare the shit out of people.” I left a note on the chalkboard: Mom, gone out. Might not be ...

Grief and loss most profound Teeters on shaking ground Molten rivers of tears Erupt from latent fears Mouth silenced by a mask Pressured to take the vaxx Division, hatred, strife Slowly devalues life Media’s shame and blame Stokes embers into flames As depression taunts Loss of freedom haunts  Our dreams. Photo by Alex Dukhanov on ...

September 11, 2001, is a day Americans will never forget. Over three thousand people were murdered that day in New York City. A tragedy unlike any other we have ever witnessed. And while the world was grieving the loss of loved ones and strangers, a select few chose to cover up their own evil murders ...

My twelfth summer – the ocean of my innocence – cast an asteroid into my sea – pulling me down, like a milestone around my neck. Gigantic ripples broke the time barrier, touching every moment forward, etching every word wielded as a whip, like the rings inside a tree. The catalyst imploded the house of ...

Sammie stared out the window—he sat as still as a statue. Thoughts of the dark wall creatures oozing out of the cracks were unbearable. The rocking horse glared at him, and the teddy bear waited to crawl toward him. Toys that once gave him joy and happiness threatened to destroy him if he didn’t allow ...

There is a storm brewingthe air is thick with tensionas silence muffles thedisquiet of a taxed nation a communityin waitinglike a storm brewingon the horizon waiting to showerthe nation witha tempered wrathcontained for too long the heavy rumbleof their voicesan occasional pocketof peaceful protest pushes against thebarriers that canno longer holdtheir pain and distress and ...

Read from the beginning: The Welkin: Chosen | The Welkin: Freefall Fargo’s fear was tangible as he disappeared down the stone stairs.  Halley registered his retreat, but Auger was gazing at her, and she was in complete awe. She had never seen an Aigle. As a Fledgling, she’d read the legends and fables, but seeing ...