When Things Are Not As They Seem
We had been digging with our hands, trying to free our trapped family members from beneath the collapsed building. But, finally, it seemed, help had arrived. We all cheered. I jumped to my feet, despair transformed into hope, as pickup trucks and limos came into view…
The Neighbourhood of Make-Believe
My grandma said I lived in a dreamworld. But it was just a different neighbourhood…
Good Versus Evil
Melting snow dripped from the leaves like tiny ice daggers onto the disgruntled trainee evil witches below. As soon as they were born, these little girls were dispatched to the camp before any chance of feeling love or appreciation of comfort or joy could tarnish them. The spells that they were taught in dank and chilly clearings were bitter with evil: how to cause pain, how to fill hearts with hatred and revenge, and how to cause sorrow through foul wickedness.
The Stone Mirror
There’s no softening of stiff cheeks no smoothing of lines formed over time
Beauty – the MockingOwl Roost
Come play in the Lonely Maple Wood, dance in the Winter Wonderland, dream of of things to come at Love’s Open Door. Within the pages of the MockingOwl Roost issue “Beauty” you’ll find the wonders of nature, humanity, animals, and more, inviting us each in to delight in creation and each other.
Quarterly Issues
July 25, 2024
We had been digging with our hands, trying to free our trapped family members from beneath the collapsed building. But, finally, it seemed, help had arrived. We all cheered. I jumped to my feet, despair transformed into hope, as pickup trucks and limos came into view…
July 23, 2024
My grandma said I lived in a dreamworld. But it was just a different neighbourhood…
July 19, 2024
Melting snow dripped from the leaves like tiny ice daggers onto the disgruntled trainee evil witches below. As soon as they were born, these little girls were dispatched to the camp before any chance of feeling love or appreciation of comfort or joy could tarnish them. The spells that they were taught in dank and chilly clearings were bitter with evil: how to cause pain, how to fill hearts with hatred and revenge, and how to cause sorrow through foul wickedness.
July 17, 2024
July 15, 2024
Come play in the Lonely Maple Wood, dance in the Winter Wonderland, dream of of things to come at Love's Open Door. Within the pages of the MockingOwl Roost issue "Beauty" you'll find the wonders of nature, humanity, animals, and more, inviting us each in to delight in creation and each other.
July 12, 2024
He frowned and thought for a moment. “Maybe when Neil winked, told me to take a deep breath an’ hold it. I looked at Buzz. He smiled an’ gave me a thumbs up. Michael were busy wi’ summat.” His mother tutted and shrugged, glanced at the clock on the wall by the window and peered into the bubbling pan.
July 9, 2024
The dark richness of the black tea hits first but quickly becomes overpowered by the amaretto flavors that rise from organic almonds, chocolate paillettes, and amaretto extract. Each of the key ingredients dance across the aroma arc over the tin, vividly painting the visual of the perfect evening cup as you watch the sunset and delight in good things.
July 8, 2024
Let this chapter’s voice be known— Inscribed upon the heavens abode; Whereby – death itself is said to have flown, Twice – reborn…
July 6, 2024
Indigo, the most compassionate of the group, noticed her friend’s glum face and his detachment from the conversation bubbling around him. “What’s up, Blue?” she said. “I feel your heart isn’t with us today.” Blue shimmered. An envious green glowed around his edges for a moment as he watched Orange and Yellow joyously chattering away, vibrant and glowing under the sun beaming in from the window.
July 2, 2024
My soul resonates with Douglas Adams’ quote, yet stubbornly butts up against it, as my usual week, my usual time, my rest-seeking soul fights the dullness of the nine-to-five “assurance” of the world which calls me “wrong” for creating, “right” for stressing, and “weird” for seeking more than assurance that paychecks come and exhaustion reigns.
June 26, 2024
Each time I sniff this tea, my tastebuds literally start to salivate. The dark, richness of the black tea blends beautifully with the sweet, tart, tangy fruit for a powerful, titillating aroma. As I breathe in the aroma, I can’t resist then drinking the tea after a long draught of the aroma, which is exactly what the scent of anything edible should do.
June 25, 2024
It surrounds organs, tendons, and ligaments
my choicest parts –
those most vulnerable to your dalliances.
June 20, 2024
Written with intriguing skill, impeccable research, and delightful imagery, She Serves the Realm, the fourth book in the No Man is Her Master Series, opens upon the next scene carrying forward from the previous. As the third book held to, the first chapter in the saga of Christina Kohl, posing as her brother, Sir Frederick, immediately pulls you into the backstory without overloading you with details.
June 19, 2024
Another spring arrives
Bringing
Chives and
Dandelions
Echelon and
Fiddlehead ferns. The
Gifts emerging from the earth
Help heal the dark
June 15, 2024
Welcome to our first genre-themed issue: the Fantasy Fiction Issue of 2024. Find the brilliant short stories, flash fiction, and poetry from our contributors and staff themed on magic, time time travel, paranormal experiences, and pixies among the pages.
June 13, 2024
May the peace of assurance rest upon your shoulders
like a soft cloak that warms you in winter.
May the song of joy fill your heart with energy
like a bird’s call fills the early spring air.
June 12, 2024
June 10, 2024
While I have no control over the weather or when the condo board hires folks to spread the mulch that can ruin any seeds already planted, I do have the creative ability to create a stunning garden space.
June 9, 2024
I was recently asked to provide an honest review for a collection of Linkind Solar Lights and I eagerly accepted the invitation: I adore solar lights! I also felt the need for some added light along the pathway to make it easier for my mother, who uses a wheelchair, to navigate the sidewalk and patio space into our home safely.
June 8, 2024
Nine years ago I picked up two tiny, summer-bearing, full-sun berry plants for an 11-foot-long garden box that I’d situated along the sunny side of my garage. Today that box overflows with canes —