JANUARY by Sylvia Ashby Greetings to you, Janus: the gods' god, their father figure. The gateway god, presiding over entrances & exits, arrivals & departures, births & deaths--either one. In other words, doors of every sort. CEO of all beginnings following on the heels of inevitable ends. Two-faced Janus, divine doorman, magically peering to & fro: … [Read more...] about January by Sylvia Ashby
Stories and Poems
Journey Towards the Star by Herb Shippey
Journey Towards the Star by Herb Shippey A bright star above an oasis in the night. Tired camels at rest, wise men asleep in their tents, the servants snoring nearby. A slight wind blowing shifts the desert sand sideways, coiling and hissing. A servant stirs in his sleep and sinks back into his dreams. Dawn washes the sky. In the west one star still … [Read more...] about Journey Towards the Star by Herb Shippey
Fruit-Flavored Marshmallows by David Lohrey
Fruit-Flavored Marshmallows by David Lohrey Thanksgiving fails? That’s what Christmas is for. Thaw out the left-over turkey, warm up the stuffing. You can turn the mush into something. Skip the cranberries; they cause global warming. Try golden seaweed instead. We’ll go to that new restaurant at the Bellagio. It has replaced its famous Picassos with works by … [Read more...] about Fruit-Flavored Marshmallows by David Lohrey
Life With You by Kristina Pudlewski
Life With You by Kristina Pudlewski It was December 23rd, only two days before Christmas. Children play outside in the snow and families rush into stores to get last minute items for their holiday gatherings. But I am in the hospital with you, Max, my love. You were on a delivery for work when an SUV crashed into you, sending you 30 feet down 1st Avenue. Leaving … [Read more...] about Life With You by Kristina Pudlewski
Hobo Christmas Remembered
Hobo Christmas Remembered by Jack Peachum (Hannibal Ill., 1960) Old toothless queen with rheumy eyes, I'm seeing you again across a smoky fire, near an underpass, hillside grey with weather— you hold forth over a can of hot soup, stopping to guzzle wine, mutter in your whiskers, something about peace and love— a wink at the words! Wind cries in the pines … [Read more...] about Hobo Christmas Remembered
Her Other Half by Tricia McCallum
Her Other Half by Tricia McCallum One of many poems the pandemic has given rise to. Her twin sister’s ashes were waiting for her collection At a contactless drive through. In a bag beside her now on the front seat For the dazed ride home. Her sister who had just last week sat in that very seat Beseeching her to change the radio station Because she absolutely hated … [Read more...] about Her Other Half by Tricia McCallum
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
The Gift of the Magi One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher … [Read more...] about The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore
A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And … [Read more...] about A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore
Ghostwriter by Jennifer Vanderheyden
Steven was placing ant traps around the house when his wife Sylvia returned. “Why kill the ants?” “It’s unsanitary,” he replied; “especially in the kitchen.” “I thought I would pick up some props for our Halloween costumes.” She handed him a small bag: “Open it carefully!” Steven ripped open the bag and pulled out a small book. “I’m dressing up as myself? A … [Read more...] about Ghostwriter by Jennifer Vanderheyden
The Witch and the Till
I looked for the ‘Ten items or less’ checkout. This one read ‘Four items only,’ so I joined the queue. “I will knock on your door,” said the young checkout operator, looking at me—past three other customers. She was wearing a witch costume. She swiped the food item over the scanner. Beep. She put her head down, face hidden under her hat. “On Halloween … [Read more...] about The Witch and the Till
