• Sunlight spills warmly between two towering, old trees whose thick, twisting trunks and wide branches stretch outward like open arms, their bright green leaves glowing against the golden light. The scene feels peaceful and hopeful, like a quiet invitation to care for the earth and watch something lasting grow. great tree TEXT: Mary Derringer, Plant a Tree on Arbor Day, Poetry

    Plant a Tree on Arbor Day

    When you plant a tree, you sow the thoughts of leafy morns and lovely afternoons. You plant the thoughts of beauty growing beneath the countless suns and moons…

  • A stylized illustration shows a hand gently holding a small mound of soil from which a leafy green tree and plants are growing. The background is a soft green gradient with glowing accents, giving a fresh, vibrant feel. The MockingOwl Roost owl logo sits near the base of the plants. Free Saplings TEXT: Celebration in a Tree City, Paula Frew, Poetry

    Celebration in a Tree City

    Trees, trees, trees
    everywhere we look
    line the streets.
    as though in a book.

  • A soft, watercolor-style illustration shows an old, weathered tree with a thick, twisting trunk and sparse, fading leaves clinging to a few bare branches. The tree stands alone on pale ground, surrounded by light washes of beige and muted green that give the image a quiet, reflective mood. The MockingOwl Roost logo appears to the left of the tree, reinforcing the piece as part of a literary publication layout. Every Spring TEXT: ELEGY FOR A TREE THAT FORGOT MY NAME; Joshua Walker; Poetry

    Elegy for a Tree That Forgot My Name

    I carved a heart you swallowed in bark
    not out of hunger,
    but ritual.
    Every autumn you let go
    more easily than I do.
    Every spring,
    you grew further from the boy who named you.

  • A bright, playful Earth floats in a soft blue sky, resting on a fluffy white cloud while tall palm trees sprout from its surface like tiny guardians of the planet. The scene feels cheerful and hopeful, like a gentle reminder to protect the world and keep it thriving. clean TEXT: Earth Day, Keep The Marble Blue, Paula Frew, Poetry

    Keep the Marble Blue

    Plant, together, a sapling tree, beautifying our Earthly scene. It is important — we all agree, to keep the air we breathe clean.

  • Golden sunlight spills across a tall sunflower leaning into the light, its bright yellow petals catching the glow of a warm afternoon. The background blurs into soft greens and sparkling sun flares, giving the whole image a dreamy, late-summer feel. say hello Text: Sunshine, John McMahon, POETRY

    Sunshine

    Don’t leave it to chance —
    say hello,
    before the seeds pass us by.

Quarterly & Special Issues

  • Poetry Special 2022 cover
  • Introspection issue cover
  • Sleeper of R'Lyeh cover
  • cover image of the MockingOwl Roost, Volume 1, Issue 4: Community
  • giant elephant in forest with a man standing in front of the elephant
🦉 Submissions next open from June 1 to August 31 2024
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