VICTORIA PARK LAKE by Nathanael OReilly

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Goulburn A muddy river flanked by gums wanders through town past rope swings hanging from high branches, rippling around snags and sandbanks, flowing home Tingalpa The bush spread to the reservoir’s edge. Water stretched out of sight round the peninsula. Wind-blown waves chopped across...

OLD WORLD MONKEY by Lisa Reily

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bucket list the crackle of plastic as an elephant’s trunk unfurls, accepts a sugared bag; gentle eyes and huge eyelashes smile as it stuffs it into its mouth. it’s so stupid, it’s eating my bag! shouts the nasty kid. I...

EVENING NEWS by Alan Britt

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REMEMBER WHEN THE CRUSADES WERE THE GOOD OLD DAYS? Was there lots of raping and pillaging during the Crusades? Or just the right amount? Was there too much, dare I say, greed involved like some aberrant cult addicted to Manifest Destiny? Have...

THE FIRST LOCKDOWN by Shera Hill

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THE FIRST LOCKDOWN birdsong splashed mornings grass-shadowed fawns quail, rabbits and coyotes abound a brief reprieve, Brothers and Sisters Fool’s Gold how lonely we’ll be when you’re gone I read once that nothing is ever lost. Does Gaia hold you always in her heart—your spirit,...

THE CORK OAK OF PORTUGAL by Reed Venrick

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The Cork Oak of Portugal Riding the bus down and along— Lisbon to Faro on the Algarve coast, passing through dry, hilly forests— from the distance of your seat, they seem to be the same burly oaks of California—many with...

VISITOR FOR THE DAY by Duane Anderson

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Ms. Know-It-All She seemed to consider herself an expert after only donating one time prior, and from the look that she gave me, I definitely got the warning signal that it was beneath her needing to review the advance reading...

YELLOW by Byron Beynon

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BEETHOVEN A memory within music, a ripening with vineyards overgrown, and your mind's ear in tune; alert with days you look through a small window at strangers, the relentless wave-pulse, uncorked knowledge on a journey through a territory where time gathers shards of meaning. A frustration of the...

VIRTUAL REALITIES by John Lambremont

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The Solo PerformerThe tiny ballerina, hersummer run long over,limbs brown and withered,hanging hair disheveled,bends stiffly at the hip,shriveled hands stretchedto the tip of an extended toe,frozen in a permanent pose of thanksfor praise of...

LIE WITH ME IN THIS MOMENT by Sarah Stephens

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Lie with me in this moment sink into the book of me where all my stories wait to be told. Take out the pages and read– It’s not quite Spring here– where Winter lags in the heat and humidity...

AMULET by Mary Jane White

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AMULET voice of Penelope 62 All the young men came in  But you were never there Standing as likely under a rafter  Off-center  Visible enough 63 As a still small-footed  Never old & wandering vine  Your trunk the exact imperfect Square pillar 64 Light red leaves  On a low...