Sheltering in Place
This is not my first time at the shut-in rodeo. I saw my agoraphobicmother struggle, suffer during my early 1970s adolescence, preparingme well for the day […]
Miranda, an Obscure TV Show for All the People Who Are “Too Much”
Probably not that many Americans are familiar with the comedic body of works of Miranda Hart, a British actress, comedienne, and writer whom I personally adore. […]
This Land Which Built Me
This land remembers, a constant echo, wherever I wander,whether between halfway places or brittle stormsover the fence at the edge of our woods near our homea […]
To the Ringer With a Toothache on a Plane
It was 2008. I was exhausted, traveling solo through the country, tired of airports already, and had only just begun this adventure. But there you were, […]
Happy Holidays
The rain fell relentlessly – the type of heavy rain that soaked right through your clothes within a minute. The grey denseness of the sky contradicted […]
Quarterly & Special Issues
Submissions next open from June 1 to August 31 2024
January 24, 2025
This is not my first time at the shut-in rodeo. I saw my agoraphobicmother struggle, suffer during my early 1970s adolescence, preparingme well for the day […]
January 22, 2025
Probably not that many Americans are familiar with the comedic body of works of Miranda Hart, a British actress, comedienne, and writer whom I personally adore. […]
January 18, 2025
This land remembers, a constant echo, wherever I wander,whether between halfway places or brittle stormsover the fence at the edge of our woods near our homea […]
January 16, 2025
It was 2008. I was exhausted, traveling solo through the country, tired of airports already, and had only just begun this adventure. But there you were, […]
January 12, 2025
The rain fell relentlessly – the type of heavy rain that soaked right through your clothes within a minute. The grey denseness of the sky contradicted […]
January 11, 2025
Be sure to read Part 1 first. Rahmat’s voice turned Shubir’s mind from Maya to the present moment. “What does all the fuss of the world […]
January 8, 2025
Ratnapur looks like a dreamy village hidden in abundant green foliage and washed with bubbling rivers and rivulets. But like any other place on earth, it […]
January 2, 2025
How easily we put on and take offthe sparkle and shine. What it hideswas worth something, too, but today, as the needles drop and scatter, andtinsel […]
December 29, 2024
That year, Chanukah fell on Thanksgiving, which gave the young rabbi a dilemma. While it meant there wouldn’t be the traditional confusion of Christmas with a […]
December 26, 2024
First candle. Our first apartment. We download the blessings off the internet because we don’t remember the words. I run my finger along the Hebrew script […]
December 25, 2024
This is the story of Saucer-Eyed SueWho simpers and swoons over old Mr. Scrooge. We all know the story, oh, yes we doOf old Ebeneezer,That skinflint […]
December 24, 2024
This 24th, a wish for laughter over tearsfor the wonderful smell of cinnamon and pinevisions of angels and sugarplumsthe melodic harmony of lifeand a star in […]
December 22, 2024
For the last three years, ever since his young children looked forward to Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, George endured shoveling snow off the roof. On […]
December 21, 2024
There are respitesfrom the Awful Rowing.The brush of an infant’s hairagainst my cheek.The breath-taking beautyof my daughter whenshe first awoke – yellowcurls, rosy cheeks, crystalblue eyes. […]
December 20, 2024
A favourite Christmas eve memory,from child to adulthood,was the stirring in the largecream bowl, the ingredientsof the Christmas pud. Mum loved this moment,all hands on the […]
December 17, 2024
A frozen time brings hush and heavy snowto fall over the silver fir;to love Christmas, to be snowed upwhile singing hymns of faith–no bees to fly […]
December 15, 2024
Welcome to the final issue of the MockingOwl Roost in 2024! Music & Light brings together the joys and changing delights of music and light. Enjoy […]
December 14, 2024
Let’s take a moment to pauseand think of poor, old Mrs. Claus.She once was lively and youngand had difficulty holding her tongue.At times she herselfwas quite […]
December 12, 2024
Our memories are fickle thingsthat time disintegrates;we’re left with snapshots that we stringtogether, weaving lace. The tightest loops play back with ease,releasing dopamine,evoking whiffs of deli […]
December 11, 2024
When I was littleLike the little ones here todayI used to wish that Christmas was everydayCouldn’t wait to see what recitation I had to sayAnd the […]