August 8, 2024

Poignant Miles of Lakeside Boneyard by PS Conway

Poignant Miles of Lakeside Boneyard by PS Conway

*Featured image courtesy of Pau Sayrol on Unsplash* Here is another beautiful piece brought to us by our Poet in Residence, PS Conway. Take a look! Clouds hang low o’er Doolough Valley wispt and haunted like we ghosts who recall the horrors of hunger recall a child who fed like sheep eating grass beside the Dead felled roadside recall the cold that bites so deep through gossamer skin, nowhere to hide from the damp, from the cries carrion crows pull out the eyes of a frail father whose name remains oh so forgotten oh so long ago but the land ne’er forgets its recollections will ne’er relent nor forgive a foreign aristocrat’s neglect for the blight of poverty’s anguishes the poor, the chosen folk of Jesus Christ no loaves nor fish for you and I…

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July 29, 2024

Vera West: Plucked Release and Excerpt

Vera West: Plucked Release and Excerpt

Vera West, our amazing poetry barista, has recently released her novel in verse, Plucked. A lot of hard work and dedication went into bringing it to life, and Vera was kind enough to share a brief excerpt of it with us. There’s also an interview at the end to give you some insight into what inspired Plucked‘s creation. 8 I hated the city bus; the sticky floors, the lurking men staring from faded plastic  seats. It creeped me out, but it couldn’t be avoided. With my ride secured, the next complication to iron out was a parental signature on  Everleigh’s admission forms. I couldn’t transfer without it. The bus stopped at the Ninth Cat, my granny’s barbershop on the corner of a rundown street in my rundown town, but its faded red paint shone like…

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July 12, 2024

“The Invicta Collective” by Jermey Ashley Pair

“The Invicta Collective” by Jermey Ashley Pair

Presenting, The Invicta Collective by Jermey Ashley Pair! When the tranquility of the small town of Monroville is suddenly shattered one morning by a mysterious earthquake, Sheriff Buckley and Deputy Fish head out to investigate. What they discover lurking among the ruins will soon threaten not only the lives of all in Monroville, but also the lives of those in the cities beyond. Trapped in the local library by forces they don’t understand, will Sheriff Buckley & a small group of civilians be able to decipher the mystery of what’s happening and escape the clutches of the dead or will the library become their tomb? Welcome, Adventurers! Imagine diving headfirst into a world where adventure knows no bounds, where history and fiction dance in the glow of archaeology’s spotlight. Romance flirts with danger, and every…

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July 5, 2024

Mario Loprete: Urban Paintings on Concrete Pt.2

Mario Loprete: Urban Paintings on Concrete Pt.2

We are happy to feature the talented Mario Loprete once again on our website. Mario shares even more of his paintings and sculptures with us, showcasing his unique and captivating style. Artist Statement: Painting is my first love. An important, pure love. The base of my paintings starts from the spasmodic research of a concept and transforms into a message that I want to send to the viewer. The sculpture is my lover, my artistic betrayal of the painting. That voluptuous and sensual lover that gives me different emotions, that touches prohibited cords . . .  I worked exclusively on my concrete sculptures in the last few years.  I use my personal clothing for my concrete sculptures. Through my artistic process, in which I use plaster, resin and cement, I transform them into artworks to…

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June 24, 2024

“La Hacienda de Las Chismosas” by Rachel Gonzalez

“La Hacienda de Las Chismosas” by Rachel Gonzalez

*Featured image courtesy of Katsiaryna Endruszkiewicz on Unsplash* This week we are proud to present another piece by our Writer-in-Residence, Rachel Gonzalez. Rachel has put a lot of work into creating this story, and it has resulted in a truly beautiful piece of writing. They come to La Hacienda to ease their bodies and their minds.  It’s a resplendent house of generations that will always stand. The burdened, the troubled, the mischievous, all come for the caring touch from the hands of the hacienda. With more importance and reverence than any state building or diplomat’s home, it is the beating heart of this town. A home to all, if even for a moment. Halls of brightly-tiled walls and dimly-lit ways for privacy and peace. Cobblestone paths meander and lead into the heart of the hacienda….

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June 4, 2024

“All’s Fair in Love and War” by Brandon Breen

“All’s Fair in Love and War” by Brandon Breen

*Featured image courtesy of Jack Ward on Unsplash* This piece by Brandon Breen takes us on an emotional journey that also gives us some insight into Italian history. This is truly a special piece and we hope Brandon shares with us again in the future. Padua, Italy, 1968 Everything was about to change in Gabriella’s own country. Not everyone had the foresight to see that the revolutionary spirit brewing inside the students would soon be turned out onto the failures of Italy itself. There were so many injustices going on in Italy and the entire world and it was ironic that it was an occurrence on a worldwide scale that reflected the lens back towards Italy. Others were convinced that fascism was dead and gone and ignored the fermenting of familiar ideology. What most people…

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May 29, 2024

3 Poems by Mickey J. Corrigan

3 Poems by Mickey J. Corrigan

*Featured image courtesy of Talha Riaz on Pexels* These poems are a bit different from our usual postings. They are written as a biography following the husbands of the poet Dorothy Parker, and their life with her. On Dorothy Parker by her First Husband (Edwin Pond Parker II)  When I met her she was small a woman you could woo breathe her woody scent run hands down slim hips have lively discussions  her sweet gentle voice sharing words of love.  Time sharpened her edges her soft speech peppered with bricklayer swears her radical views cutting bitch wit deep sense of injustice anger at the rich which I took personally, insulted as provider in our home scion of a fine family successful stockbroker she seemed to reject all that she had come from that I was giving her  she bit the open hand of her master once too many times.  After the war I returned from the front different…

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May 24, 2024

“Homicide at Heavensgate” by Sentinel Studios

“Homicide at Heavensgate” by Sentinel Studios

When a mysterious guest is found dead during the grand opening of a new lunar resort, two detectives are sent to investigate. What they find is a rich assortment of potential suspects, and the emergence of a mystery that goes deeper than they imagined. Former cop turned private detective Bianca Buchannan gets an unexpected phone call, takes a new case, and finds all is not well in the gates of heaven. Homicide at Heavensgate stars Marta da Silva as Bianca Buchanan, Lofty Fulton as Cole Duncan, and features the voice talent of David Ault — June Yoon — Joanna Tope — Antonio King — Sasha Masakowski — Ethan Carlson — Andy Harvey — Daniel Cross — Hesham Elshazly — A. G. Willoughby — Joseph Narducci — Nato Jacobson — Joseph Narducci — Laura Richcreek —…

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May 15, 2024

“First Impressions of India” by Jon Meyer

“First Impressions of India” by Jon Meyer

*Featured Image courtesy of Naveed Ahmed on Unsplash* Travelling can always lead to some memorable experiences, and Jon Meyer certainly made some memories in his visit to India. Read a snippet of Jon’s trip in his nonfiction piece, “First Impressions of India.” First Impressions of India It was 1973, and I had been a follower of Meher Baba for three years. The white light from Lord Meher through Darwin was powerful, and was still sustaining me even though the constant bliss was somewhat diminished.  I spent a year at the Orrefors Glass School in Sweden and came home to be offered a job at Steuben Glass in Corning, NY. This work was quite varied, which I enjoyed. It entailed being in charge of the new apprentice program in addition to my other duties. Since the…

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May 7, 2024

“Complete Stop” by Frank Diamond

“Complete Stop” by Frank Diamond

*Image courtesy of Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash* Frequent contributor Frank Diamond honors us again with another one of his amazing pieces. Take a look at “Complete Stop,” where our elderly protagonist is faced with making a very important life decision. Margaret Johnson should know better. She’s driving through Lakelock Manor Borough, after all. Infamous suburban speed trap. But at 10 in the morning? She comes to an intersection, stops (a “rolling stop” the cop would contend), sees nothing in any direction except a parked SUV. Margaret continues on her way, and suddenly the SUV U-turns and tailgates her, headlights flashing the way undercover police cars do. She pulls over. “I am going to meet my husband, officer,” Margaret explains to this kid who’s about as old as her eldest grandchild. “He’s in Grantmyer Groves.” In…

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