Flames,of orange and redflicker, twist, dip, and bow ina mysteriouscounterpoint dancetiptoeing on edge asmusic orchestratesin staccato fashioncrackles, pops, and snapspunctuate the ancient dancemesmerizing human eyes. Flames,reflected uponcorneal lenses refractfirestorm insideshattered heartsbearing deeply seared scarsborn by the betrayedtrust in a million sparkstrauma blames and shamescountered by blazing lighthope extinguishes despair. Photo by Shoeb Khatib on Unsplash

An unending fiery rage burns within me. I pound my fists onto my phone when it’s not working. I feel it every time the slightest inconvenience occurs in my life, I unleash this blinding rage. It’s poisoning my soul. Every time I indulge in my anger, I’m left feeling tired, sick, and trying to recover ...

Catch up on Part 1 | Part 2 here   Previously… …his pain was brief. The trees descended on him and gored him with a branch through his sternum. Officer Dan spit out a mouthful of blood, and then fell silent forever. “We’re not getting out of here alive, Steve,” Harry said.     “Think ...

A dying fire burns in the hearth, grey smoke unfurling and twisting into the open air. Dust particles alight beneath the breaking of a new day. And he sits in his chair, old, decrepit, half-mad, as old thoughts bring fresh wounds. The first thought is of her smile: how it crinkled her face and brought ...

Fourteen-year-old Sally sat in the swivel chair in front of the desktop computer. She scrolled through the social media news feed. Every line, every post broke her heart. People in America fighting against each other. Racism filled the computer screen. The young teenager feared another Civil War was brewing. Sally’s cursor was on the x ...

You can find previous issues on my author page here. Donovan and I were able to grab a few hours of sleep before Vera managed to wake up. We all went out for breakfast before we had to head downtown to meet Steve. Vera and Donovan really hit it off as they finally had time ...

Broken. Defeated. Once not even alive. You can’t even imagine the depths of pain I’ve survived.   I’ve suffered in silence Given you my true crown. There were times when I muffled my screams with the ground.   Just so you could be risen Just so you could be well And never once did I ...