The Gold Persimmon, a Book Review
The Gold Persimmon by Lindsay Merbaum is riveting and surreal. At times, I found myself so caught up in the characters’ actions that it actually took my breath away, and had me yelling at my Kindle. This book was not what I was expecting from its title.
Fragrance of a Rose, Part 3
She’s so far away, Rebecca thinks. If I could take her into my arms and hold her forever, I would. But she’s so far away.
Prayer to Those Above
Our lives are too brief to be taken before we find you hovering near…
My Jodie Angel: Positivity Corner
Over the years I’ve had several Standard Poodle Service Dogs. I’ve never trained a female standard poodle to be my Service Dog (SD), and although I wanted a male agency-trained dog, it was not to be.
Fragrance of a Rose, Part 2
Is this what it’s like to be noticed by a spirit? Is this the language in which they speak? How long would it take before one is drawn completely through to some Other Side?
Quarterly & Special Issues
Submissions next open from June 1 to August 31 2024
September 1, 2024
As I pulled out the GPS, memories surfaced of Nat navigating the streets of New York decades earlier. Navigating the streets of every country we’d travelled in. He always used to say he carried maps in his head and if he needed to find the right direction, he simply lifted his mind above the car, looked down on the streets and visualised the right route.
August 31, 2024
August 30, 2024
Popping off the lid of the tea tin versus smelling a freshly brewed cup of Tao of Tea Black Mango offers two varied aromas. The tea leaves offer a rich, dark, almost indescribable aroma tinged with something fruity. The brewed tea, however, instantly transports you to the tropics where you might pluck a mango for enjoyment right off the tree.
August 20, 2024
The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter is an enthralling escape into the world of witchcraft, misogyny and murder. A time of religious burnings, where men smile in their piety as witches/women dance in hot iron shoes.
August 15, 2024
Come one, come all, Sci-Fi lovers! We've got a great short new issue with our sci-fi fiction and poetry for 2024 right here. Check out the stories from authors around the globe, relating tales of outer space aliens, military experimentation, space travel, and much more.
August 6, 2024
It was attempting to spread It came with a sad melody, My heartbeat increased,
My lungs demanded air To fight the need, I felt to let my tears fall…
July 31, 2024
I look up at the bird, its coat of the blackest feathers sheening in whitish sunlight…So I hold dear the dark bird's song.
July 29, 2024
Arrival at night was what I was dreading. Night sailing was bad enough, but I had no desire to get into the dinghy after nightfall. The familiar coastline of northern Kangaroo Island came into view, but the sun was setting, and by the time we arrived the coastline would be obscured.
July 27, 2024
Funny to call it that, but when the soul journeys out from the body,
What else lies on the table but that which is enduring the cutting?
Like a lamb at the market providing only the choicest meat for observation.
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.