Those were the days when neighbors took pride in knowing each other by first and last names Kids, pets included. O, those were the days… Those were the days when neighbors exchanged tomatoes, potatoes, and onions Milk included. O, those were the days… Those were the days when neighbors drove their cars, trucks, and trolleys ...

We were young, still in our cocoons when we first met. Flora morphed into a beautiful butterfly, sooner than me. Her wings—the colors of fire, lit the sky. Her flutter stirred many, to reach and pocket her. But free minded, she held her own, unwilling to be caught.   With a grand vision to travel ...

Powdery white sand shimmers its quartz in sunlight stars twinkle on ground   Singing cardinal joins the drumming woodpecker branches take a bow   Fluttering pupa amidst the dense, tall sand dunes dotted flowers bloom   Sliding waves ashore bring seaweeds, grasses, and more crabs party with bugs   Diving pelican grabs grub by its ...

Born an hour ago, or Day before. You’re One month, or A Hundred years old. Come out and Play.   On March 18th, my friends in neighborhoods around the globe will celebrate Holi. Trays of bright-colored dry powder, Buckets of water, Water-filled balloons, and Golgappas, samosas, gulab jamuns will adorn the tables.   Rules will ...

Why didn’t Grandpa Mac confirm whether the man in the portrait was the man from his world? His hedging frustrated me, and I made no attempt to hide my irritation. “Just tell her, Grandpa. Please.” He glared at me, then turned back to Sadie. “I can’t be certain from this photo if your father is ...

Why is it so hard for Cord to tell me the truth? I stared at him, waiting for him to talk. I knew he wanted to kiss me. And I wanted to fall into his arms and experience his mouth against mine. But the moment our lips touched, I would be swept away by our ...

I stared at Piehtár’s face and struggled to breathe. Could it possibly be true? That this man was Sadie’s father? As he peered in my direction, I saw more and more of Sadie in his features. Grandpa Mac’s voice crept into my head. “Do you need additional proof?” Although his resemblance to Sadie was remarkable, ...

I’ve been telling my husband the only thing I hate about dying is I won’t be able to write about it. As a writer, I gravitate towards death. I’m not sure why. I remember a story I wrote in high school about my death from a car accident. My spirit floated above my body, watching ...

I mulled over last night’s dinner as Grandpa Mac placed a cup of yaupon tea in front of me. A moment later, he set a matching teacup across the table from me and sat down. After dinner last night, he stayed with us instead of making the four-hour drive back to his cabin in Pennsylvania. ...

Skye, Grandpa Mac, my mom, Cord, and I were seated around the Minqua’s dining room table, eating dinner. Cord grasped my hand, and the familiar tingling sensation coursed through me. I glanced at Grandpa Mac, wondering if he sensed my physical reaction to Cord’s touch. The older man was engaged in conversation with my mom ...