Spring Gallery 16 Ruben Dario gathers the visual material used around Stephen Zelnick's essay, including portraits, contextual images and captioned references.

All Hallows 2007 celebrates The Photographic Art of Russell Joslin

'How Long the Life' by Howard Bernbaum, a striking juxtaposition unfolds between the cosmic journey of a meteor and the human saga at a hospital.

This poignant tale weaves together the final moments of Mrs. Thurgood and the lives of two aimless prospectors, highlighting the interconnectedness of the universe and the fleeting nature of human existence.

In this essay, there's an imaginative spirituality tradition that is vividly represented here by St. Teresa of Ávila, whose mystical poetry transforms death into the promise of a greater life; by Rosalía de Castro, whose Galician poems move between humour, desire, love, reputation and sorrow; and by Gloria Fuertes, whose deceptively simple, rebellious verse insists upon compassion and light in a world capable of extinguishing both.

This work is an exploration of a playwright who dared to venture where few others have, merging the realms of historical and fantastical with a contemporary edge that remains as relevant today as it ever was.

In this play, Heavisides masterfully crafts a narrative that is not just a story to be told, but a philosophical exploration to be experienced. "Empty Bowl" is a compelling invitation to explore the depths of our own existence and the intricate connections that bind us to the world and to each other.

Patrick's ability to weave together memories, emotions, and the symbolic power of water results in a narrative that is both touching and resonant, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Miller's succinct storytelling invites readers to reflect on the meaning of companionship, the evolution of relationships over time, and the ways in which individuals navigate the expectations placed upon them by society and themselves.

A fearless fox reads the garden’s weather and scents its hidden dangers. When she finds bait waiting in a rusted trap, instinct and cunning turn the hunter’s weapon into a meal for home.

Over tea and thickly buttered soda bread, two sisters exchange the sad news of Magilligan’s death. Rich in Northern Irish speech and sharply observed domestic detail, the conversation gradually reveals a tragedy at once heartfelt, comic and wonderfully unexpected.

In a schoolyard conversation, the breakdown of a marriage emerges through bruised bodies, guarded words and divided loyalties. A tense, finely compressed story about violence, denial and the moment when endurance finally gives way to action.

Ann Walters' poem intricately weaves together these narratives to present a multifaceted exploration of flight, capturing its beauty and brutality, its capacity for liberation, and its potential for sorrow. The repeated motif of flying serves as a powerful metaphor for the human condition, reflecting our deepest desires, fears, and the inevitable search for meaning beyond our tangible experiences.

Venom by Dennis Tallefer explores the complexity of human emotions and the struggle for personal safety and dignity in a world that can be unwelcoming and dangerous for those who are perceived as different; it also highlights the need for empathy and understanding towards individuals who are fighting their own battles, both internal and external.

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Familiar animal fables are untied and ingeniously knotted together in this playful, sharply satirical reimagining. The hare and tortoise race beneath the shadow of a hungry lion, while the dog, crocodile, wolf and other creatures carry one tale into another, exposing the vanity, greed, hunger and self-deception beneath their well-known morals.

Pyro longs to be seen, but being an invisible, mythical dragon makes recognition difficult—even among the spectacle of the circus. When one startled burst of flame brings disastrous attention, his friends help him understand that every performer hides something of the self behind the public show.

Exploring the ephemeral space between day and night, 'Down The Crack With The Crickets' by Kristine Jensen delves into the fleeting nature of thoughts and emotions. An angry thought disappears with the wind, symbolizing lost moments and the struggle to reclaim them.

Explore the poignant poem Mates by Iain C. Smith, dedicated to Jake and Patrick. Reflecting on the sudden loss of a young life, it intertwines themes of grief, camaraderie, and the fleeting nature of youth, as experienced through the lens of a soccer match metaphor.

"Explore the evocative poem 'Pipedream' by Iain C. Smith. A vivid blend of memory and observation, it captures a moment of reflection amidst a storm, evoking nostalgia and introspection about family, past experiences, and the transformative journey of life.

Archie's adventures and misadventures, from his initial quest for a dime to his interactions with various characters in his community, reveal a society where children are forced to mature quickly, facing realities that test their ingenuity and moral compass.

"Explore Artist at Work" by William Reese Hamilton, a gripping tale of love, art, and transformation. Dive into a complex relationship set against a backdrop of urban decay, where art becomes a metaphor for connection and self-discovery. A narrative rich in emotion and psychological depth.

"Epic" serves as a meditation on the nature of creativity, the solitude often required for profound thought and work, and the complex relationship between an artist and the society that surrounds them

"Gemini in Twilight" by Galen R.Faison weaves a poignant narrative that navigates through the realms of family legacy, the resilience born out of struggle, and the indelible marks left by our ancestors

Russell Bittner turns bad weather into a comic adversary in This Rain That Wears No Raincoat. Rain becomes wilful, badly behaved and almost theatrical, while the speaker meets it with equal stubbornness. Beneath the wordplay and jaunty rhyme sits a small declaration of independence: weather may fall where it likes, but it need not govern the spirit.

In What Warmth Is There in One Old Tree?, Russell Bittner sends two companions through a wonderfully improbable week of trees, tea, lakes, ponds, toads, fish and weather. The poem tumbles forward on rhyme, invention and affectionate absurdity, always circling back to the simplest comfort of all: finding somewhere warm, and someone with whom to shelter.

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Set beside the glittering waters of Venice, this poem captures a private moment of devastation unfolding within an ordinary afternoon. A young woman receives painful news, and the beauty around her is transformed by grief, memory, and the sudden breaking open of the heart.

A windswept journey along the Devon coast, where ruined defences, fishing villages, sea birds, and broken shorelines become vessels for memory. The poem evokes a landscape haunted by history, hardship, and the lingering presence of lives shaped by the sea.

In Picture on Picture, Mari Fitzpatrick captures the lively interplay of nature and imagination through a vivid cat-and-mouse chase by a rain barrel. Blending humor and reflection, she contrasts the raw vitality of the pursuit with the serenity of a garden setting. The piece evolves into a poetic exploration of movement, tension, and the delicate balance of life in its fleeting moments.

In The Mandylion, Joe Giordano intertwines art, danger, and family dynamics through the lives of Anthony and Valentina Provati. This gripping excerpt sets the stage for a high-stakes narrative as Anthony, a Manhattan art dealer, is drawn back into a dangerous world by Sophia, an alluring figure from his past. With Valentina’s sharp wit and FBI expertise, the siblings navigate temptation, loyalty, and the shadowy underbelly of the art world.

Mozart and I by Alex Braverman is a narrative that captures the essence of what it means to be an artist and the often tumultuous journey of balancing personal vision with external pressures. The narrative oscillates between admiration and resentment, showcasing how genius can be both a gift and a curse. The reference to Chaim Potok's novel "My Name is Asher Lev" serves as a poignant parallel, highlighting the universal struggles of artists who must navigate the tensions between their creative expressions and the values of their communities or families.

At a grave, the narrator receives a box of ashes, the remains of a loved one. Struggling to find poetry in the moment, they recount the cremation process and the stark reality of loss.

In "When the Morning is a Prayer," Kathleen Cassen Mickelson captures the serene beauty of a winter morning in Minnesota. The poem unfolds like a series of cherished gifts:

"Ghost" by James Graham is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of memory and loss. In the quiet aftermath of a loved one's passing, the poet describes the emptiness of a house once filled with life and conversation. As time passes, memories of the departed begin to resurface vividly--their eyes, voice, and laughter lingering like a comforting ghost. Graham's poignant verses capture the enduring presence of those we have lost, transforming grief into a gentle daily companion that brings solace and quiet strength. This poem is a touching tribute to the enduring power of love and memory.

Little Miss Muffet — Russell Bittner
A familiar nursery-rhyme figure is recast as sharp-tongued, suspicious and entirely capable of defending herself. Bittner plays gleefully with rhyme, nonsense and verbal sparring as Little Miss Muffet refuses to be charmed, patronised or easily impressed.

Bedtime becomes a comic battle of wills between a reluctant child, his equally resistant imaginary companion and a mother who knows exactly how the argument will end. Full of linguistic jokes, nursery-rhyme echoes and mock-serious rebellion, the poem follows resistance all the way to the inevitable comforts of sleep.

Beate Sigriddaughter's “Fountain” imagines the self as a source of water and gathering life, a small lyric wish for movement, birdsong, openness and renewal.

Fianna's poems gather magic, westering light, insects, islands and threshold moments, making a delicate sequence of perception, transformation and bright interior weather.

Jane Burn's “Lazarus Jewel Box” rises from tide, silt and sea-worn mystery, turning recovered fragments into a charged meditation on loss, return and hidden treasure.

No Share in the Common Treasury by James Graham is a powerful memoir-essay tracing the author’s family history through generations of hard labour, poverty, grief, and exploitation. Moving from County Antrim to Glasgow, Ayrshire, and the long working life of his father Danny, the piece blends intimate remembrance with political conviction. Through the lives of farm labourers, factory workers, mothers, widows, and underpaid servants, Graham argues for dignity, shared ownership, and a fair place fo

Capsize by Joseph West is a brief, sharp meditation on the hidden weight of mental distress. Using the image of a capsized boat as both joke and lifeline, the piece captures the strange mismatch between inner weather and the ordinary world outside, where the sun still shines and strangers still smile. Honest, self-aware, and quietly hopeful, it follows the speaker through a bad day toward the knowledge that the feeling will pass, and calmer shores can be reached.

'The Orange Room' by Conor McManus is a vivid and sensuous piece of writing, capturing the intimate and contemplative moments of the protagonist.

Salzano's 'Turn the Page' is a deeply moving piece that uses the backdrop of a classic rock song to explore themes of nostalgia, longing, and the emotional landscapes of life ...

Oonah V. Joslin's tankas offer our readers a poetic glimpses into love, nature, and life's fleeting moments. Each verse weaves emotions and memories, revealing the beauty in the mundane and the eternal dance of change. Dive into a world where words paint lasting impressions on the heart and mind.

"Very Warm for March" beautifully intertwines the awakening of the natural world with the awakening of human desires and connections. Blossom's use of imagery and intimate details creates a piece that resonates with the joy of early spring and the timeless nature of love.

The poem invites readers to reflect on the nature of sibling relationships, the process of mourning, and the search for meaning in the face of mortality. Through its exploration of these themes, "Red Rewind" speaks to the universal experience of grappling with the complexities of love, loss, and the human condition.

Dark Snow by Linda Shok is a narrative that seems to revel in contrasts: the tangible with the abstract, the domestic with the natural, and the intimate with the expansive. The prose is rich with metaphor and imagery, suggesting a deep undercurrent of emotion and longing beneath the surface of everyday actions.