By Jim Bates

The old man pulled back the curtain and peered into his front yard. It was covered with dirty snow, the stalks of forgotten annuals bent and frozen. He frowned. Should have pulled them last October. Who cared anyway? He let the curtain fall back and made his way to his worn armchair. He sank wearily into the cushion, grabbed his ever-present glass of whiskey, flipped on the television, and gazed at the flickering image of “Miracle on 34^th Street.” After a while he fell asleep, thankful for the escape. His wife Abby had died that summer, and he lived alone in their home full of memories. All he wanted was to somehow make it through the holidays. Was that asking too much?

Rrrrrring! Rrrrring! The doorbell startled him awake. What the…? The house was dark except for the image on the television. He…

By Luisa Kay Reyes

To a world that is sordid and cold
Came a warmth that is purer than gold.
Amongst leaders that plunder and take
Entered He who bestows and equilibrates.

Scoffing the seekers of personal gain
Was born He who with goodness does reign.
So to a land that is burdened with strife
Arrived the King of eternal life. 

Offering curing forgiveness and healing
The calm of his manger is appealing.
Since He values with great magnanimity
The wholesome with inner nobility. 

And honored by those who are wise
On Christmas was given the ultimate prize;
Which isn’t reserved for the privileged few
But for all who with Jesus their hearts do renew. 

Luisa Kay Reyes has had pieces featured in “The Raven Chronicles”, “The Windmill”, “The Foliate Oak”, “The Eastern Iowa Review”,  and other literary magazines.  Her essay, “Thank You”, is the winner of the April 2017…

By Bhupesh Chandra Karmakar

Power of Prayer

Prayer brings peace in the weary  
soul or in the time of our trouble
  
Prayer is essential in our life as  
it is the connection with God
  
Prayer is the highly successful published  
example of God’s blessing
  
Prayer is a thanksgiving and a  
greeting to God for His grace
 
Prayer is the essence of the morning  
and prayer is the fragrance of life
  
Prayer is a holy connection with  
God who listen cry of our soul
  
In His wisdom God is the source  
who always prove more power
  
Prayer brings happiness if we can  
spend our time an hour in prayer.

The Change of Season

When the winter goes and summer the spring comes on the land The sun shines bright and the all trees give their new green leaves The deer are running through the forest and people are dancing Everyone celebrate…

By Bradford Middleton

I’ve never been one to take photos of my food
But the beauty of my breakfast yesterday was
Something to behold!  A steaming hot plate
Of glorious veggie sausage and rashers of bacon
With mushrooms piled high on the side, a blessed
Fried egg smothered in beans and with a side
Of toast it didn’t last long as I munched it on
Down leaving only the remnants to be slobbered
Up by my bean & egg soaked toast, delicious!

By Somaah Edwards

She craves the type of love that is
engraved on her soul and being,
an emotional connection scientists
and archaeologists can not dig up 
and explain. 

The world will know its name but
they'll never be able to have a taste. 

It will make sense but there will be 
no explanation. 

Her skin will age but it will keep 
getting prettier,
Her voice will become blurry but
they'll turn it into expensive music.

Her face won't remain the same but
you'll find it in museums under the 
theme:beauty never fades.

Magic was never real until they took
a look into her eyes, 
and an eclipse occurred before them. 
A love so real yet so expensive and rare.

Somaah Edwards is a Guyanese poet and short-story writer. She writes on Instagram at @somaah.e