K.R. RIORDAN: "WHERE IS THE THICKET? WHERE IS THE EAGLE?"

I am currently a student at Seattle University, diligently working towards my Bachelor of Arts in English Literature & Creative Writing.  My works have appeared in the Percival Review, a literary journal out of Olympia, Washington. 

My goal in life is to transfer the passion of literature and writing which I possess onto younger generations. 

TIMOTHY A. CLEMENTS: "PETTY IS DEAD"

Timothy A. Clements holds an MFA in writing from Lindenwood University and lives nearby in St. Charles, MO with his wife and two children. 

JEFF FLEISCHER: "DOVE"

Jeff Fleischer is a Chicago-based author, journalist and editor. His fiction is most recently published in the Chicago Tribune's Printers Row literary journal and Steam Ticket Third Coast Review. He is also the author of non-fiction books including "The Latest Craze: A Short History of Mass Hysterias" (Fall River Press, 2011), "Rockin' the Boat: 50 Iconic Revolutionaries" (Zest Books, 2015), and a civics book coming in spring 2016. He is a veteran journalist published in Mother Jones, the New Republic, the Sydney Morning Herald, the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Mental_Floss, National Geographic Traveler and dozens of other local, national and international publications.

Website: www.JeffFleischer.com (blog is www.JeffFleischer.com/blog)
Twitter:@jefffleischer
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jeff-Fleischer/e/B00PIXRK52/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

BELINDA HUBERT: "WONDER"

In addition to writing fiction and poetry, Belinda Hubert is currently working on a novel, titled Shrink Wrapped and a collection of short stories about life in the Midwest. She works as a clinical psychologist in a private practice in Lowell, Indiana.

 http://buelasprairiepractice.blogspot.com/

JOSHUA STEELE: "THE CLEARING"

Father. Husband. Writer. 

https://www.facebook.com/jsteele1

"A TRIBUTE TO CECIL THE LION" BY ANNA MARIE

REST IN PEACE, CECIL

His mane blew back in gold majestic blends
His face running  through deep African winds
Champion among wilds, swift King among beasts
A dirty man's snare, he was taken from his peace

INDIANA VOICE JOURNAL JULY 2015 ISSUE #12

"Detroit" Photo courtesy of David J. Thompson

The stories, poems, and visual art in this issue of IVJ are diverse, important and powerful.  In Disappearing Search, a poem by Deonte Osayande, we learn what it's like to grow up in a community where black girls go missing without so much as a nod from the rest of the world. Allison Whittenberg tackles the tough issues of rape, pregnancy, and "choice" in Ride The Peter Pan. Nicole Murphy Bagwell's poem, From Mouths to Hands, shows us the horrifying results of intolerance and bullying, which often lead to teen suicide among the LGBT community.

All the works in this issue bear witness to a greater beauty, a greater truth which lives in the world. In us. We are all connected. Not by race or environment, not by works or social class, not by religion or politics, but by our common human experiences. By the passion, love, and compassion written in our spirits which gives rise to hope, and voice to unity.

Wishing you all a happy, safe Independance Day this month.  And a happy one-year anniversary to Indiana Voice Journal! ~Janine Pickett, editor

IN THIS ISSUE:

 VISUAL ART

"Detroit" by David J. Thompson


POETRY

Poetry By Nicole Murphy Bagwell: "From Mouths To Hands"
 
Three Poems By Darren C. Demaree: "Nude Male With Echo #61", "Nude Male With Echo #62", "Nude Male With Echo #63"
  
Poetry By Woodrow Hightower: "Twin Revolutions"

Three Poems By Andrew Hubbard: "Big John's Liquors", "Joy Starke", "The Veteran"

Two Poems By Dan Jacoby: "Wisdom of Solomon", "On Returning To St. Louis"
 
Three Poems By Peycho Kanev: "Against", "An Odd Occurrence", "Calculations" 
 
Three Poems By Donal Mahoney: "After Burying A Wife", "There's a Cliff Ahead", "Nearing the Finish Line"

Six Poems By Milt Montague: "A Grandfathers Reverie", "Eitan My Love", "Maya", "Michaela My Heart", " My Grands", "Parting"

Three Poems By Deonte Osayande: "Twisted Origins", "Raven",  "Disappearing Search"

Three Poems By Arthur Powers:  "1903", "Tax Day",  "From Starks to Mount Carroll"
 
Three Poems By Cindy Rinne:  "Womb-Door I,II,III," "Memory Pockets,"  "Curls Dyed Gray"

Three Poems By Scott Sherman: "They Used to Talk About Burning Cities," " Riding Into Sunsets," " #85"
 
Two Poems And Visual Art By Cecilia Soprano: "Bokie",  "The Buddha's Garden"



NONFICTION

Flash Essay By G David Schwartz:  "July Shards: Darkness Is Not Only For Night, Its Also For A Drink"
 
CNF By Tom Sheehan: "I Now Burn Pellets In My Stove"



FLASH/FICTION

Fiction By DB Cox: "Paint It Black"
 
Flash Fiction By Mitchell Grabois:  "Beautiful Suit"

Fiction By Raymond Greiner: "The Blues"

Flash Fiction By CN Hueston: "They Called Her Detroit"
 
Fiction By Adam Matson: "The Witch Of Malibu"
 
Fiction By Matt McGowan: "Saint John's"
 
Fiction By Alan Semrow: "Hard Chairs"
 
Flash Fiction By Phil Temples: "Cat Nipped"

Fiction By Allison Whittenberg: "Ride the Peter Pan"

Photography By David J. Thompson: "Detroit"

David J. Thompson's photos have appeared in a number of journals both in print and on-line. He lived in Detroit from 1997 until last October. He has been traveling since then.

Please visit his website at ninemilephoto.com.

Poetry By Nicole Murphy Bagwell: "From Mouths To Hands"

Nicole Murphy Bagwell is from Chicago, Illinois, but she has been an Arizona resident for the past six years. She's a lover of cats and a new found poet. She enjoys writing about the LGBT community, and her goal is to bring awareness to teen suicide. She is also a devoted Chicago Blackhawks fan, and even has a tattoo to represent her love for the team. You can follow her on twitter: @AdditkedRiot 

Three Poems By Darren C. Demaree: "Nude Male With Echo #61", "Nude Male With Echo #62", "Nude Male With Echo #63"

Darren's poems have appeared, or are scheduled to appear in numerous magazines/journals, including the South Dakota Review, Meridian, The Louisville Review, Grist, and the Colorado Review. 

He is the author of "As We Refer To Our Bodies" (2013, 8th House), "Temporary Champions" (2014, Main Street Rag), and "Not For Art Nor Prayer" (2015, 8th House).  He is the Managing Editor of the Best of the Net Anthology. Darren is currently living and writing in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and children.

www.darrencdemaree.com

Poetry By Woodrow Hightower: "Twin Revolutions"

Woodrow Hightower is a native of West Point California. He is a poet currently working on a first volume of material, loosely titled “So Low” and has lived in many different locales throughout the US. His work has been called “highly original and playfully abstract.” Currently Hightower resides in San Francisco’s Mission District with wife Twyla and their two Tibetan spaniels.

Three Poems By Andrew Hubbard: "Big John's Liquors, Joy Starke, The Veteran"

Andrew Hubbard recently moved back to Indiana after ten years in Houston, Texas.  He has had five books published, including, most recently, his first book of poetry, "Things That Get You," which was produced by Interactive Press. 

Two Poems By Dan Jacoby: "Wisdom of Solomon", "On Returning To St. Louis"

Dan Jacoby was born in 1947 in Chicago. He is a graduate of St. Louis University. He has published poetry in Belle Rev Review, Black Heart Press,  Canary, Chicago Literati, Clockwise Cat, Cowboy Poetry Press, Dead Flowers a Rag, Floyd County Moonshine, Indiana Voice Journal, Haunted Waters Press, Deep South Magazine, Lines and Stars, Red Booth Review, Wilderness House Literary Review, Steel Toe Review, Red Fez and the Vehicle. He has work soon to be published in Bombay Gin, Fishfood Literary Magazine, Maudlin House, R.KV.R.Y., and the Tishman Review.. He is a member of the American Academy of Poets.

Three Poems By Peycho Kanev: "Against", "An Odd Occurrence", "Calculations"

Peycho Kanev is the author of 4 poetry collections and two chapbooks, published in USA and Bulgaria. He has won several European awards for his poetry and he’s nominated for the Pushcart Award and Best of the Net. His poems have appeared in many literary magazines, such as: Poetry Quarterly, Evergreen Review, Hawaii Review, Cordite Poetry Review, Sheepshead Review, Off the Coast, The Adirondack Review, Two Thirds North, Sierra Nevada Review, The Cleveland Review and many others.

Three Poems By Donal Mahoney: "After Burying A Wife", "There's a Cliff Ahead", "Nearing the Finish Line"

Nominated for Best of the Net and the Pushcart Prize, Donal Mahoney has had work published in the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa. Some of his earliest work can be found at http://booksonblog12.blogspot.com/

Six Poems By Milt Montague: "A Grandfathers Reverie", "Eitan My Love", "Maya", "Michaela My Heart", " My Grands", "Parting"

Milt Montague is a 90 year old who has been writing only for 4 years. The following poems are about his 3 young grandchildren who are native Indianians residing in Indianapolis.

Three Poems By Deonte Osayande: "Twisted Origins", "Raven", "Disappearing Search"

Deonte Osayande is a writer from Detroit, Mi. His poems and essays have been published in over a dozen publications including Word Riot, The Missing Slate, and New Poetry From the Midwest and have been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. He has been a member of the Detroit Poetry Slam Team multiple times which he now manages. He's currently teaching at Wayne County Community College, and through the Inside Out Detroit Literary Arts Program. 

               
His new chapbook, Cover The Sky With Crows, is available here: 
http://eljpublications.com/available-titles/cover-the-sky-with-crows/

Three Poems By Arthur Powers: "1903", "Tax Day", "From Starks to Mount Carroll"

Arthur Powers is from Illinois.  In 1969 he went to Brazil as a Peace Corps Volunteer and lived most of his adult life there.  From 1985 to 1992 he and his wife lived in the Brazilian Amazon, working with subsistence farmers in a region of violent land conflicts; through his experience with the farmers, Arthur came to appreciate more deeply his own Midwestern heritage. 

Arthur received a Fellowship in Fiction from the Massachusetts Artists Foundation and numerous other writing awards.  He is author of two books of fiction and of a poetry chapbook forthcoming from Finishing Line Press (see below).  His poetry has appeared in many anthologies & magazines, including America, Chicago Tribune Magazine, Christianity & Literature, Hiram Poetry Review, Kansas Quarterly, Main Street Rag, Roanoke Review, South Carolina Review, & Southern Poetry Review.

www.arthurpowers.com

Three Poems By Cindy Rinne: "Womb-Door I,II,III," "Memory Pockets," "Curls Dyed Gray"

Cindy Rinne creates art and writes in San Bernardino, CA. She co-authored with Michael Cooper Speaking Through Sediment (ELJ Publications). Cindy’s book, Quiet Lantern, is forthcoming (Turning Point) and spider with wings is forthcoming (Jamii Publishing). Her poem, “Mapping” was nominated for the Liakoura Award by Pirene’s Fountain. Cindy is a founding member of PoetrIE, an Inland Empire based literary community. Her poetry appeared or is forthcoming in Young Ravens Literary Review, Rose Red Review, Eternal Haunted Summer, Cactus Heart Press, The Wayfarer, Dual Coast Magazine, Artemis Journal, Meat for Tea: The Valley Review, and others. www.fiberverse.com

Three Poems By Scott Sherman: "They Used to Talk About Burning Cities," " Riding Into Sunsets," " #85"

Scott Sherman is a graduate of Ursinus College, where he got his BA in English. His most consistent love is creative writing, specifically poetry. His writing often revolves around dreams, youth, and the frontiers experienced in life. 

http://www.shermanwriting.com/

Two Poems And Visual Art By Cecilia Soprano: "Bokie", "The Buddha's Garden"

Cecilia Soprano lives in Westchester County and makes her living as an organic gardener and artist.   Her poems and artwork have been published in La Joie magazine and UC at Santa Barbara among others.  Her artwork is often featured on the covers of Inner Directions magazine. 
 

She is a member of the Greenwich Art Society and the Katonah Museum Art Association.  She has published three small books and has had several one woman art exhibits.  Her love of nature and gardening provides the space for uninterrupted inspiration.  Her intention is to make images and words that describe beauty and uplift the human spirit.   My art is about making the simple sacred and the ordinary extra-ordinary.

"The reason why we exist is to remember why we exist and to realize our interconnectedness with all things."    WEBSITE:  www.Amichiart.com or CeciliaSoprano.com

Flash Essay By G David Schwartz: "July Shards: Darkness Is Not Only For Night, Its Also For A Drink"

G. David Schwartz - the former president of Seedhouse, the online interfaith committee. Schwartz is the author of A Jewish Appraisal of Dialogue and Midrash and Working Out Of The Book Currently a volunteer at the Cincinnati J Meals on Wheels, Schwartz continues to write.

His latest book is Shards And Stanzas  (2011, Publish America).

CNF By Tom Sheehan: "I Now Burn Pellets In My Stove"

Sheehan has 28 Pushcart nominations. In the Garden of Long Shadows and The Nations (Native American fiction collection) were recently published by Pocol Press with solid reviews in Serving House Journal. Now in the Pocol production cycle are Where Skies Grow Wide, Cross Trails, Between Mountain and River and The Cowboys, the last five titles from Pocol Press are all western short story collections. In addition, a new collection, Sons of Guns, Inc. was just released (print and eBook) by Nazar Look Books in Romania and is on Amazon. Where Skies Grow Wide has been released and is available from Pocol Press.

Fiction By DB Cox: "Paint It Black"

DB Cox is a blues musician/writer from South Carolina. His poems and short stories have been published extensively in the small press, in the US, and abroad.  His first collection of short stories called “Unaccustomed Mercy,” published by Studio Books, is available at the Amazon Kindle Store. 

Flash Fiction By Mitchell Grabois: "Beautiful Suit"

Mitchell Krockmalnik Grabois has had over eight hundred of his poems and fictions appear in literary magazines in the U.S. and abroad, including INDIANA VOICE JOURNAL. He has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize for work published in 2012, 2013, and 2014. His novel, Two-Headed Dog, based on his work as a clinical psychologist in a state hospital, is available for Kindle and Nook, or as a print edition. He lives in Denver.

Fiction By Raymond Greiner: "The Blues"

Raymond Greiner's writings include short stories and essays published frequently in various literary journals and magazines:  Branches magazine, La Joie Journal, Literary Yard Journal, Nib Magazine, Canary Literary Journal, Bellesprit Magazine, Freedom Journal, Grace Notes Literary Magazine. His book, a collection of fiction and nonfiction essays titled Hinterland Journal was recently published by Outskirts Press. Raymond lives in a remote area of southern Indiana in a cabin far off a lightly traveled road with his two dogs Orion and Venus.

Flash Fiction By CN Hueston: "They Called Her Detroit"

C N Hueston surrounded himself with books at an early age. He admires the classics, history, philosophy, and biblical commentaries as well as the beat generation viewpoint and beyond. He says "My wife and son are excellent writers so I thought after years of pondering, I'd try my own hand at it". He added "Poetry is not my forte unless it's humorous" and They Called Her Detroit is one of his first attempts at a more "solemn reality based" poetry as he describes it. His concerns with social issues and the plight of dying American cities drew him to respond to the call for works on Detroit.

Fiction By Adam Matson: "The Witch Of Malibu"

Adam Matson is originally a native of Acton, MA, and he now resides in Malibu, CA. He has previously had short stories published in The Berkeley Fiction Review, The Driftless Review, Crack the Spine, The Broadkill Review, Happy Magazine, and The Cynic Online Magazine, with forthcoming publications in The Bryant Literary Review and Infernal Ink Magazine.  His short story, "Dairy Queen," was published in The Indiana Voice Journal in February.  He has also published a collection of short stories called Sometimes Things Go Horribly Wrong (Outskirts Press).

Fiction By Matt McGowan: "Saint John's"

Matt McGowan grew up in Southwest Missouri, primarily in Webb City, a small town founded on lead-ore and zinc mining. He finished high school there and attended the University of Missouri, where he earned  a bachelor’s degree in history and master’s degree in journalism. He works as a science and research writer at the University of Arkansas. Before that he was a newspaper reporter. Recently, his stories have appeared in Pennsylvania Literary Journal and Open Road Review.

Fiction By Alan Semrow: "Hard Chairs"

Alan Semrow lives in Wisconsin and is a graduate of English from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. His poetry and fiction have been featured in multiple publications, including BlazeVOX14, Red Fez, The Bicycle Review, Earl of Plaid Lit Journal, Danse Macabre Literary Magazine, Potluck Magazine, Blotterature Lit Mag; The Rain, Party, & Disaster Society; The Commonline Journal, Crack the Spine, Indiana Voice Journal, EAP: The Magazine, Former People: A Journal of Bangs and Whimpers, Golden Walkman Magazine, Barney Street, and Wordplay, and he won the Essayist Award from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point English Department for his nonfiction work. In 2015, his stories are set to be featured in several journals, including TWJ Magazine, The Corner Club Press, The Biscuit, Eunoia Review, DoveTales Lit Journal, The Bitchin’ Kitsch, Calliope Magazine, The Chaffey Review, and The Radvocate. Semrow spends the majority of his free time with his boyfriend, friends, family, and Shih Tzu, Remy. His blog can be found at http://alansemrowriter.wordpress.com. 

Flash Fiction By Phil Temples: "Cat Nipped"

    
    Phil Temples lives in Watertown, Massachusetts, and works as a
    computer systems administrator at an area university. A native of
    Bloomington, Indiana, he has published over seventy works of short
    fiction in print and online journals. Blue Mustang Press recently
    published Phil's murder-mystery novel, “The Winship Affair." And his
    new paranormal-horror novel, "Helltown Chronicles," has been
    accepted for publication by Eternal Press.

Fiction By Allison Whittenberg: "Ride the Peter Pan"

Allison Whittenberg is a poet and novelist (LIFE IS FINE, SWEET THANG, HOLLYWOOD AND MAINE all from Random House). She lives in Philadelphia. 

Indiana Voice Journal June 2015 Issue #11

NATURAL FORCE CREW, MILAN, ITALY. PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMES LAWLESS.

Happy Father's Day this month to all you incredible guys out there. Whether you've helped birth a child, a story, an idea, or a poem...you are a Papa. In this issue we're thrilled to be dancing in the streets of Milan with James Lawless aka"Teach" and the B-Boy's Natural Force and Open Road Crews. If that doesn't get your adrenaline flowing, fly on over to BB Riefner's multi-generational poem Circus Song and catch a view from the high-wire, or slow dance with Sheehan as he honors the muse in A Salutation to Saugus, Embassy of the Second Muse. In a more thoughtful, or reflective mood? Visit a Japanese restaurant with poet John Grey as he shows us This Is How Exactly, or ponder The Holiness of Minute Particulars with author James Owens. Want to explore some weightier matters?  DB Cox wonders about Treyvon Who?, and Raymond Greiner reminds us why Falling Back To Butterflies is necessary. Need a little romance? Check out Decker by A.D. Ellis, Leaf In The Wind by Charles E.J. Moulton, and the romantically humorous Freddie by Steve Slavin in The Wedding Date. Okay, I could go on and on about all the great stuff in this issue, but I'll stop here. Enjoy the read!
 ~Janine Pickett

POETRY
 
Two Poems By DB Cox:  Before Nightfall

A Poem By Jonathan Dick: Renting The Moon

Three Poems By Dorian Dyler: And I Became

Three Poems By Dallas Gorbett:  In Another World

Three Poems By John Grey:  Sunset, Santa Cruz County

Three Poems By Lewis R. Humphries: Kindling

Three Poems By Steven Jacobson: Kitty-Kat

Two Poems By Richard Kostelanetz: Mirror Stories

Three Poems By Milton Montague: Gift

Three Poems By JoyAnne O'Donnell: Springs Window

Three Poems By James Owens: Broken

Three Poems By BB Riefner: Circus Song

Four Poems By G. David Schwartz:  I Knew A Girl Named Martha

Three Poems By Tom Sheehan: For One Woman Raised on High (haibun) (or Love behind the Door)

A Poem By Jorge Vazquez Jr:  We Are Defined By Our Shadows

Three Poems By Dr. Mel Waldman: My Father, Tell Me about the Afterlife

CNF/ESSAYS

Essay By Raymond Greiner: Falling Back To Butterflies

Essay By James Lawless: B-Boys In Milan, Italy

Essay By Tom Sheehan:  A Salutation to Saugus, Embassy of the 2nd Muse

Essay By Kathryn Streeter: What Shakespeare Taught Me About Family

FICTION

A Novel Excerpt by A.D. Ellis: Decker

Fiction By Liz Flaherty: Roll Back The Clouds

Fiction By Jason Constantine Ford: A Choice Between Two Rivals


Fiction By Sharon R. Hill:  Life in Silhouette
 
Flash Fiction By Belinda Hubert: Paul

Fiction By Jim Kjeldsen: The Giant Gila Monster

Fiction By Alex Mantel: An Apologia For Boarding School

Fiction By Charles E.J. Moulton: Leaf In The Wind

Fiction By Sunil Kumar Poudyal: Hardship

Fiction By BB Riefner:  A Brush With Reality  In The Key Of B-Flat Minor

Fiction By Barbara Kinsey Sable: He Made Me Laugh

Fiction By Steve Slavin: The Wedding Date

Two Poems By DB Cox: Before Nightfall

DB Cox is a blues musician/writer from South Carolina. His poems and short stories have been published extensively in the small press, in the US, and abroad.  His first collection of short stories called “Unaccustomed Mercy,” published by Studio Books, is available at the Amazon Kindle Store. 

A Poem By Jonathan Dick: Renting The Moon

Jonathan Dick is a 21 year old human being from Toronto, Canada. He is graduating this year from Huron University College with a major in English Language and Literature. In the summer, Jonathan will be traveling with his beautiful girlfriend across Europe, as they dream the dreams they had forgotten. Twitter: @jjdickyboy

Three Poems By Dorian Dyler: And I Became

Three By Italian Poet, Dorian Dyler

And I Became, I'll Have Breakfast, and Shooting Stars

Three Poems By Dallas Gorbett: In Another World

Dallas's short fiction "Flittery" appeared in the Nov. 2014 edition of Indiana Voice Journal. He also had three short stories appear in a local anthology, Stories and Poems of the OLLI Writers. Although he currently lives in Mississippi, he feels his Hoosier sense of humor comes out in his poetry.

Three Poems By John Grey: Sunset, Santa Cruz County

John Grey is an Australian poet, US resident. Recently published in New Plains Review, Mudfish and Spindrift with work upcoming in South Carolina Review, Gargoyle, Sanskrit and Louisiana Literature.  

Three Poems By Lewis R. Humphries: Kindling

Lewis is a professional writer and blogger based in Birmingham, UK. He also has a passion for creative writing, and has featured in magazines throughout the UK, U.S. and Oceania.


 

KINDLING

Ribbons of sallow light,

they stream from single bulb heads,

and gild the hour

of 3 am.

His fragmentary masterpiece,

due homage to her remembrance,

now tendered by

the sleight of hand.

Three Poems By Steven Jacobson: Kitty-Kat

Steven Jacobson was born and raised in the Midwest. He has attended multiple classes from the Loft Literary Center, promoting all levels of creative writing. His goal is to write a second book, the first book called “Spiritual Gait” was published in 2014.

Two Poems By Richard Kostelanetz: Mirror Stories

Individual entries on Richard Kostelanetz’s work appear in various editions of Readers Guide to Twentieth-Century Writers, Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia of Literature, Contemporary Poets, Contemporary Novelists, Postmodern Fiction, Webster's Dictionary of American Writers, Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, Directory of American Scholars, Who's Who in America, NNDB.com, Wikipedia.com, and Britannica.com, among other distinguished directories. http://richardkostelanetz.com

His eBooks are available on Kindle -- http://amzn.to/udj8TI

Three Poems By Milton Montague: Gift

milt montague, born in new york in 1924, survived Great Depression, school, world war 2.  fell in love, married, raised three wonderful daughters, retired.  back at college poetry was his new love.  recently 33 of his poems were published by 12 different magazines.     

Three Poems By JoyAnne O'Donnell: Springs Window

 

JoyAnne O'Donnell is a poet living in Maryland. She enjoys mountain hiking, swimming. The scenery of nature inspires her poetry.

Three Poems By James Owens: Broken

James Owens lives in Wabash, Indiana. Two books of his poems have been published: An Hour is the Doorway (Black Lawrence Press) and Frost Lights a Thin Flame (Mayapple Press). His poems, stories, translations, and photographs appear widely in literary journals, including recent or upcoming publications in Superstition Review, Valparaiso Poetry Review, The Cresset, Poetry Ireland Review, and The Stinging Fly.

Three Poems By BB Riefner: Circus Song

 

B. B. Riefner wrote with chalk on blackboards; then, with a 1918 typewriter on tailgates and picnic tables in South America, Europe and Africa.  Today he and his wife live near Washington D.C. with a canine muse and a computer which must be fed daily.

www.bbriefner.com 

www.travelswiththebear.blogspot.com 

Four Poems By G. David Schwarz: I Knew A Girl Named Martha

G. David Schwarz - the former president of Seedhouse, the online interfaith committee. Schwartz is the author of A Jewish Appraisal of Dialogue and Midrash and Working Out Of The Book Currently a volunteer at the Cincinnati J Meals on Wheels, Schwarz continues to write.

His latest book is Shards And Verse  (2011, Publish America).

 Names are not real people

Three Poems By Tom Sheehan: For One Woman Raised on High (haibun) (or Love behind the Door)

Sheehan has 28 Pushcart nominations. In the Garden of Long Shadows and The Nations (Native American fiction collection), were recently published by Pocol Press with solid reviews (see Serving House Journal.) Now in the Pocol production cycle are Where Skies Grow Wide, Cross Trails, Between Mountain and River and The Cowboys, the last five titles from Pocol Press are all western short story collections. In addition, a new collection, Sons of Guns, Inc. was just released (print and eBook) by Nazar Look Books in Romania and is on Amazon.

A Poem By Jorge Vazquez Jr: We Are Defined By Our Shadows

I'm a Mexican American amateur writer/poet with the dream of being professionally published. I come from the small town of Whiting, IN in between Chicago, IL and Gary, IN. Through the help of my high school librarian, Jean Lovasko, I have been published by small publishers and I have received an honorable mention award for the Art & Writing contest of the 2013 year. Even if I never become as well known as J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, or George R.R. Martin, I plan on writing for as long as I can. ~Jorge Vazquez Jr.

Three Poems By Dr. Mel Waldman: My Father, Tell Me about the Afterlife

Dr. Mel Waldman is a psychologist, poet, and writer. He is a past winner of the literary GRADIVA AWARD in Psychoanalysis and was nominated for a PUSHCART PRIZE in literature. He is the author of 11 books.

Essay By Raymond Greiner: Falling Back To Butterflies

Raymond Greiner's writings include short stories and essays published frequently in various literary journals and magazines:  Branches magazine, La Joie Journal, Literary Yard Journal, Nib Magazine, Canary Literary Journal, Bellesprit Magazine, Freedom Journal, Grace Notes Literary Magazine. His book, a collection of fiction and nonfiction essays titled Hinterland Journal was recently published by Outskirts Press. Raymond lives in a remote area of southern Indiana in a cabin far off a lightly traveled road with his two dogs Orion and Venus. He is a frequent contributor to Indiana Voice Journal.