Don Edwards has published five books of poetry and his work is represented regularly in poetry journals.  He holds a Master’s Degree in English and has taught this subject at the university level.  He currently lives and writes in Los Angeles. My Dad Had Apple Trees My dad had apple trees that he loved more than he did some of usThey were icy gray and dead to the touch in winterThe cold air froze them in place stagnant and quietBut they were secretly alive and though they seemed barren and lost in FebruarySpring brought pink blossoms that were born from … Continue reading Don Edwards

Fhen M. became a staff member of the publication paper 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘨(𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘓𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵) at Eastern Samar National Comprehensive High School – a public secondary school in the Philippines. He received his first poetry award while a sophomore student at Leyte Institute of Technology. Fhen M. was a member of 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘭, the official publication paper of LIT. Fhen M. studied the academic subjects Writing in the Discipline, 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴, and The Literature of the World at Eastern Visayas State University. The Waray poem “Uyasan” (“Toy” in English”) written by Fhen M. was published in a collection of literary works entitled 𝘗𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘪: 15 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 … Continue reading Fhen M.

Nolo Segundo, pen name of retired English/ESL teacher [America, Japan, Taiwan, Cambodia]  L.j Carber, became a published poet in his 8th decade in over 170 literary journals in 13 countries. A trade publisher has released 3 collections in paperback on Amazon: The Enormity of Existence [2020]; Of Ether and Earth [2021]; and Soul Songs [2022]. These titles reflect an awareness he’s had for over 50 years since having an NDE whilst almost drowning in a Vermont river: That he has—IS—a consciousness that predates birth and survives death, what poets since Plato have called the soul. Sylvia Plath Died in a Bell … Continue reading Nolo Segundo

Ken Gosse generally writes light poetry using simple language, meter, and rhyme in verses filled with whimsy and humor. First published in The First Literary Review–East in November, 2016, his poetry is also online with Academy of the Heart and Mind, Lothlorien Poetry Journal, Home Planet News, Spillwords, Impspired, and others. He is also in print anthologies from Pure Slush, The Coil, Truth Serum Press, Peking Cat, and others. Raised in the Chicago suburbs, he and his wife have lived in Indiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Germany, Virginia, and now in Mesa, Arizona over twenty years with two or more rescue dogs … Continue reading Ken Gosse

Ahmad Al-Khatat is an Iraqi Canadian published poet and writer. In addition to his Pushcart Price 2020 nomination, he received a nomination for Best of the Net 2019. His poetry has been translated into other languages and his work has been published in print and online magazines abroad. He resides in Montreal, Canada, now with his spouse.  We Are Numb  We are numb when the world began,  numb from forcefully drinking ourselves. Numb from exited voices growing louder, numb from marijuana smoke and sweat aroma. Numb to climb bare on our day-to-day fears, numb to hang a thick cord on … Continue reading Ahmad Al-Khatat

Widely published over many years in various countries in numerous magazines, journals, anthologies and competitions, most recently first prize in the Brian Nisbet poetry award. His book ’History Doesn’t Die’ came out last year. FLOATING VOTER Call it the hungerof a searchlightnaked in his eyes:he relentlessly seeksa singer of a new song,aligning with anybodywith the art of naminga future to fit him.Daydreams will launderwords pieced togetherby a temporary herointo a perfect horizon,a vision that survivesonly as far asa round of rival promises.Political speecheswill clock changes,playing him wildlyfor a pendulum.Belief has crumbledin choices, in himself.Somewhere a cry for needswill use his … Continue reading Gordon Scapens

Paul Ilechko is a British American poet and occasional songwriter. He was born in Barnsley in the north of England, and attended Royal Holloway College, University of London, for his Bachelor’s degree.  He now lives with his partner in Lambertville, NJ. His work has appeared in many journals, including The Bennington Review, The Night Heron Barks, Southword, Permafrost, and The Inflectionist Review. He has also published several chapbooks, including “Pain Sections” from Alien Buddha Press.  His first full-length book is scheduled for 2025 publication by Gnashing Teeth Publishing.    Too Large She came home to find him sprawled acrossthe bed asleep within the … Continue reading Paul Ilechko

I retired from a thirty-five year career in hospice social work a few years ago, at which time I began writing poetry. My work is inspired by the journeys of my patients, the compelling beauty of nature, and the human condition. I also enjoy music, long walks in the forest, flower arranging, and jumping in puddles with my grandchildren. I live in New Jersey with my husband and Bernese Mountain Dog, Dottie. “Of Dreams and Time” i.If age dulls notthe sense of timeor passion poisedon poem’s rhymethen in my dreamswhen slumber comesI’ll see myselfforever young ii.If sunset lullsthe world to … Continue reading Susan Brumel

Shane Allison was bit by the writing bug at the age of fourteen. He spent a majority of his high school life shying away in the library behind desk cubicles writing bad love poems about boys he had crushes on. He has since gone on to publish four chapbooks of poetry Black Fag, Ceiling of Mirrors, Cock and Balls, I Want to Fuck a Redneck, Remembered Men and Live Nude Guys,  as well as four  full-length poetry collections, I Remember (Future Tense Books), Slut Machine (Rebel Satori Press), Sweet Sweat ( Hysterical Books), and most recently I Want to Eat Chinese Food Off Your Ass (Dumpster Fire Press). He has edited twenty-five … Continue reading Shane Allison