"Whitey Van Ness" by Bill Frank Robinson is a compelling and heartfelt narrative that captures the essence of human connection and the unexpected paths life can take. Through its memorable characters, evocative settings, and thought-provoking themes, the story offers a rich and satisfying reading experience that resonates long after the last page is turned. |
A captivating tale set in an Irish pub, where community, creativity, and a unique lying competition unite locals. Amid economic hardship, this heartwarming story weaves humor, tradition, and an unexpected twist involving the FBI, celebrating the enduring power of storytelling and community spirit." |
At its core, the story explores themes of redemption, resilience, and the transformative power of art -- whether it be through acting, music, or other creative outlets. Sossity's journey from a place of personal turmoil to one of advocacy and support for Leah signifies a broader commentary on the importance of compassion, community, and the role of art in reflecting and addressing societal issues. |
Colbert masterfully navigates the protagonist's journey through the New York arts scene, from his tentative steps back into acting to his encounters with a diverse array of characters, each contributing to his understanding of himself and his craft. The narrative is rich with references to literary and theatrical legends, grounding the story in a specific cultural milieu while exploring universal themes of creativity, identity, and belonging. |
McMullen's story is a vivid exploration of the human condition, marked by its trials, errors, and the occasional moments of clarity that lead to growth and understanding. Through the lens of humor and the absurd, it captures the essence of life's unpredictable journey, reminding readers that amidst the chaos, there is always potential for change and connection. |
A harrowing tale of betrayal and resilience, this story explores the dark side of human relationships and the quest for justice. Delving into themes of consent, isolation, and societal norms, it challenges readers to reflect on empathy and the complexities of the human condition. |
"I'm a Jellyroll" is a richly layered story that engages with historical realities while offering insights into the human condition. Giordanos narrative is a testament to the power of storytelling to bridge divides, illuminate shared experiences, and foster empathy across the boundaries of time and place. |
![]() Bruce Harris Collection |
![]() The Linnet's Wings Contributors |
![]() The Linnet's Wings Contributors |
![]() The Linnet's Wings Contributors |
![]() The Linnet's Wings Magazine |
As the poet confronts the fading existence of the rhino, and by extension, the disappearance of the Western Black Rhino from our world, there is a yearning for action, for a transformation from passivity to a more active role in protecting and preserving what is left of the natural world. The desire for the child within to rise up, to fight back against the encroaching threats to nature, encapsulates a universal wish to undo the damage done and to restore balance. |
Recession" thus serves as a compelling commentary on contemporary life, where the pressures of social media can overshadow personal growth and relationships. It is a reminder of the importance of finding oneFs own path, away from the public eye, and the irreplaceable value of quiet moments shared with loved ones. |
Clausen's text delves into themes of existentialism, the routine monotony of daily life, and the human capacity to persist despite a lack of enthusiasm or hope. This reflects a broader human experience where duty and the instinct for survival often override deeper existential concerns. |
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Archie's adventures and misadventures, from his initial quest for a dime to his interactions with various characters in his community, reveal a society where children are forced to mature quickly, facing realities that test their ingenuity and moral compass. |
"Explore Artist at Work" by William Reese Hamilton, a gripping tale of love, art, and transformation. Dive into a complex relationship set against a backdrop of urban decay, where art becomes a metaphor for connection and self-discovery. A narrative rich in emotion and psychological depth. |
"Epic" serves as a meditation on the nature of creativity, the solitude often required for profound thought and work, and the complex relationship between an artist and the society that surrounds them |
"Gemini in Twilight" by Galen R.Faison weaves a poignant narrative that navigates through the realms of family legacy, the resilience born out of struggle, and the indelible marks left by our ancestors |
"Kindred" invites reflection on how closely tied we are to the whims of fate, the shared vulnerability of all human beings to sudden change, and the profound impact of loss. It is a meditation on the connections between us, sometimes forged in the most tragic of circumstances, and the indelible marks left on the living by those who depart unexpectedly. |
The poem "Fantastically Raw With Hatred" by April Michelle Bratten is a powerful exploration of anger and its cathartic release. Through vivid imagery and intense emotional language, Bratten delves into the complex nature of anger, not merely as an emotion to be feared or suppressed but as a force that can be both destructive and purifying. |
Gemma Meek has crafted a deeply moving and resonant work that invites readers to reflect on themes of visibility, identity, and the longing for change and recognition. Its a powerful reminder of the unseen struggles that many face and the profound impact of family dynamics on individual lives. |
Submission Page Details (Voices against Silence) |
Through the Eye of the Beholder: A Call for Diverse Voices on Climate Change |
"Reverance" by Nonnie Augustine is a vivid and evocative piece of writing, rich in imagery and sensory detail. Augustine's language is both lyrical and gritty, painting a vivid picture of the scene and characters. |
Here in Augustines' "Hogheads and Tricks" a person grapples with the passage of time, lost creativity, and a desire to escape or confront the mundane realities of life, possibly looking for new experiences or inspirations to reignite their lost spark. |
Heavisides' work, as exemplified in this piece, showcases a talent for blending the profound with the practical, infusing traditional narratives with modern sensibilities and concerns. |
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The Path of the Pollinator |
![]() Fungi light/ Fungi Language by Darryl Price |
![]() Painting the Sky by Bill West |
Next to Rock by Susan Isla Tepper |
Memoire by Oonah V. Joslin |
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Oonah V. Joslin's tankas offer our readers a poetic glimpses into love, nature, and life's fleeting moments. Each verse weaves emotions and memories, revealing the beauty in the mundane and the eternal dance of change. Dive into a world where words paint lasting impressions on the heart and mind. |
"Very Warm for March" beautifully intertwines the awakening of the natural world with the awakening of human desires and connections. Blossom's use of imagery and intimate details creates a piece that resonates with the joy of early spring and the timeless nature of love. |
The poem invites readers to reflect on the nature of sibling relationships, the process of mourning, and the search for meaning in the face of mortality. Through its exploration of these themes, "Red Rewind" speaks to the universal experience of grappling with the complexities of love, loss, and the human condition. |
Dark Snow by Linda Shok is a narrative that seems to revel in contrasts: the tangible with the abstract, the domestic with the natural, and the intimate with the expansive. The prose is rich with metaphor and imagery, suggesting a deep undercurrent of emotion and longing beneath the surface of everyday actions. |
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The Rhinoceros: |
In "French Knitting" by Elizabeth Hopkinson, a witch meticulously knits Rapunzel's hair each night, creating a giant golden cobweb that descends into a dark pit. For seven years, Rapunzels hair has been woven into the earth, supposedly connecting her to the core of creation. Confined and contemplative, Rapunzel doubts the witch's intentions, believing instead that creation flows through her. As the witch knits, an unexpected figure rises from the pit, challenging the witch's control and hinting at a deeper, transformative power within Rapunzel herself. This tale reimagines the Rapunzel legend with a mystical and introspective twist.
French Knitting by Elizabeth Hopkinson
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In "There Were Balloons" by Cathy S. Ulrich, a child's experience at an old woman's funeral is poignantly depicted through his innocent perspective. Balloons, usually symbols of joy, ascend like colorful punctuation marks in the sky, released by a grandly fat man. The child, uncomfortable in his formal attire, recalls the old woman's dry kisses and butterscotch candies, and moments like watching a kitten or listening to his mother play the piano at her house. As the balloons disappear, one yellow balloon remains caught in a tree, mirroring the child's confusion about the event, which he mistook for a party.
There Were Balloons by Cathy S Ulrich
Come Back Out
by Michael McGlade
In "Come Back Out" by Michael McGlade, Cathal spends a summer assisting his aging father, Da, in laborious farm work in rural Ireland, forming a rich tapestry of familial legacy and folklore. As they excavate a drainage trench, their dialogue weaves through Irish myths and personal histories, reflecting on life's transitions. Amidst the physical labor, Cathal uncovers artifacts of his past, each a poignant reminder of the layers that form one’s identity. Their work not only reshapes the land but also their relationship, culminating in a profound and unexpected conclusion.
Based on how frequently she saw the stork and heard the bird’s clacking beak, the hare knew she was kilometres ahead of the tortoise. Comforted by this, she stopped to graze at a particularly emerald patch of nettles and dandelions. The run had famished her, but the hare did not want to eat her fill at the banquet. Not in front of the other animals.
“The victor must be genteel," she told herself.
The hare ate. The afternoon sun wallowed in the soft light on her calico coat and in the brilliancy of the tender leaves. The hare thought about how she had arrived at this life juncture. “What am I doing in this race? If I win, I look like a bully. If I lose, I look like a liar and a slowpoke, slower than a tortoise! If only I’d kept my mouth shut…nothing gained, all lost. The tortoise did insult me! But only after I made fun of him."
The hare nibbled on another rumination.
“Will a lion be at the feast? Did the fox invite lions? Or wolves? Great. Win or lose, I still lose. Why go on? Maybe if I’d thought, I could stay here and munch quietly in this lovely spot." She did just that, for a moment.
Knotted Fables by John P. Bourgeois
by Ian Butterworth
We live, my Grandfather and I, in a large grey house, past which the buses rattle late into the night. There is an armchair, matching the dull red curtains, positioned so the old man can look into the street. Medical equipment waits in the dusty shadows cast by the tall lamp. The light is dim. I wipe a damp flannel over his chest; push aside his tiny penis, avoiding his eyes as I do so. His skin is the colour of mushrooms. I fear bruising him, as if my fingers will mark his flesh. The nurse left a plastic sheet to place under him as he bathes, but I cannot treat him as if he is a child.
A sweet biscuit leans, damp in the saucer of his lukewarm tea.
Without the thick lenses of his ridiculous glasses, now folded by his chair, his eyes are yellow and blank. Without his clothes, once impeccably creased, he has faded away. I love him. In my childhood he held me when my father would not. Through my divorce, he refused to judge, though all else knew that the fault was mine. He took me in, when my wife and children left. He taught me to pray, though I was a man.
A haunting reminder of how past conflicts shape our present, an eternal waltz between history and the now as a young woman twirls with the ghost of a WW1 pilot!
Study: Mixed Media Oil, Mari 2016
A Book of War Poems, Essay and Art from The Linnet's Wings
In "Once They're Gone, They Keep Going" by Mir-Yashar Seyedbagheri, the narrator reflects on life with his mother, Sylvia Drew, an English teacher with fiery red hair and a turbulent past. Living in a small apartment near the steel mills, Sylvia and her son Mattie navigate a world of broken dreams and fleeting ambitions. Sylvia, a once-aspiring actress from a family of lawyers, wrestles with the constraints of her life and the absence of Mattie's father, a labor leader with a mysterious departure. The story explores themes of loss, identity, and the longing for something beyond the confines of a constrained existence.
Vox explores a steadfast refusal to conform, with a protagonist wielding negation as affirmation. Amidst ancient calls of war and the incessant demands of society, they choose a path of resistance, finding strength in the relentless seas that surround and define them. Each plea and confrontation sharpens their resolve, as they navigate through exile, identity, and the echoes of their defiance.
The Basket Weaver" by Clare McCotter celebrates the art of basket weaving, juxtaposing traditional craftsmanship against modern therapeutic practices. The poem describes a newly qualified occupational therapist who embraces basket weaving, despite its outdated perception among peers. The narrator, considered a "basket case," finds solace in creating a basket, symbolizing a sanctuary for thoughts and prayers. Through vivid imagery and a reflection on change, the poem underscores the enduring value of hands-on creativity and its calming influence on the mind.
The Basket Weaver by Clare McCotter
GO ON by Oonah Joslin
So -- let me get this straight," Tickle was saying. “Julianne somersaults off your back onto my shoulders and then we tumble out of sight. Then Benny the mouse chases you once round the ring and exit ringside."
“Stupid mouse!" said Tiny.
“Okay, Tiny. We know. Now, do you want to rehearse?"
The rehearsal was flawless. The ringmaster was very pleased. Pyro sat up on the high-wire pedestal watching the new act and he cheered at the end. Of course only Tickle and Tiny heard this but they always appreciated his enthusiasm.
All went right on the first night until -- out of nowhere a real mouse appeared and ran across Tiny’s path. Julianne and Tickle tumbled out of the way just in time as Tiny turned tail, almost trampling Benny in his mouse suit and headed straight across the centre of the ring for the exit, at full pelt, leaving a very confused Benny, a furious ring master and a delighted audience laughing their heads off.
The Show Must Go On by Oonah Joslin
is a Prayer
by Kathleen Cassen Mickelson
How do I talk about fresh snow that still
delights me after a lifetime of Minnesota
winters or the sliver of moon embedded in
pre-dawn sky or the way oak limbs hold
frost to cover their leafless-ness?
The Path of the Pollinator
In the garden, the early summer sun nudged the bee awake. It emerged from its honeycomb as its fuzzy body, a tapestry of black and gold, launched itself into the day.
The air was thick with the sweet scent of honeysuckle as sunlight streamed through a canopy of leaves to dapple the flower beds in a mosaic of light and shadow. The scent hung with the promise of good weather as dewdrops, like scattered diamonds, clung with a fierce tenacity to the blades of grass, sparkling like miniature suns.