Passion for a Prisoner
“Last warnin’, to the pair of ya. Git out’n here now fore I let loose. Emsie, you come first, girl. I ain’t meaning’ to shoot ya, but I sure am itchin’ with this trigger.”
Fiction by
Tom Sheehan
Deep Water
Fiction by
Patricia Crisafulli
Sylvia was the first to arrive, twenty-two minutes before the class was scheduled to begin. Scanning the six long tables arranged in a rectangle, she decided to take a seat in the middle along the far wall, her back to the windows overlooking the parking lot. The flyer carried in her purse calmed the buzz of fearful embarrassment that she might have arrived on the wrong day or at the wrong time.
Connections
Snow Day: Making Tracks in an Unmarked World
Tricia’s Blog
B eyond the rim of snow banks, around the bend where the trail angles into the trees, lies an expanse of white as unexplored as a blank page. No matter that countless sneakered feet and bicycle tires ply this path in every season, on this wintry day all traces of humanity are scoured away by the wind’s husky breath.
One Way
In my search for existential truth, I would have settled for some directions.
Essay by
Patricia Crisafulli
Stepping Out of the Return Line
Essay by
Hilary Sopata
There is nothing wrong with self-improvement, but when it comes out of self-loathing it’s negatively fueled and likely to fail. Change should be a product of self-love.
Delwyn’s Feather
Holiday fiction by
Patricia Crisafulli
S now sugared the lawn and whitened the balsam wreathes at the twin bay windows flanking the front door painted red as holly berries. Lacy flakes drifted to earth, one tethering itself to the sleeve of the old black wool jacket that Delwyn Edward Morgan wore.
The Best Gift of All
Dallas Woodburn
Essay
D uring the holiday season, it sometimes seems like the whole world is wrapped up in presents and material possessions. Kids are writing their wish lists to Santa, adults are trying to find the “perfect gift” for their special someone, and mall parking lots are jam-packed with eager shoppers. I had always been just as guilty as the next person of harboring this fraudulent yuletide spirit, until a few years ago when I learned what the holiday season is truly about.
Sometimes You Just Got to Believe
Tricia’s Blog
Whether you await a Child or you long for Peace on Earth, or you strive to see goodness in the abyss of heartbreaking news, it takes attention and intention to turn away from the darkness and embrace the light.