Issue of July 20, 2026

Hellbent by K. Mark Schofer — Cover story fiction life

His friends see Mark seems wired a little differently. It is more likely that noticing unimportant things often missed by others is a relic of a quieter, simpler time. He has a way with words, despite his less than adequate typing skill. People have delightful stories to tell if you sit and listen. He also makes delicious soups.

Tortoise by Bryan Costales — Fiction life

Bryan Costales wrote the very successful "Sendmail" (bat book) for O'Reilly Media.

Can a Bird Fly with Broken Wings? by Ndaba Sibanda — Poem

"...Can a dirty hand teach the other hand to be healthy?..."

Entrances and Exits by Bernard Pearson — Poem

Bernard Pearson's poems appear in over one hundred and fifty publications worldwide, including Aesthetica Magazine, The Edinburgh Review. He is also a published novelist, biographer and prize winning short story writer.

Our Guiding Light by Jimmy Lisotto — Poem

"...Life can be a tangled jungle..."

Circulation by Sanjeev Sethi — Poem unrhymed

"...if it is of merit, it will reappear..."

Dove Tree by Mitali Chakravarty — Poem unrhymed

"...day has spilled light over the skies..."

Equilibrium by Jim Murdoch — Poem unrhymed

"...fine-tuning is required..."

In Memory of a Musician by Pranab Ghosh — Poem unrhymed

"...rhythm trots its way into our hearts..."

Outdoor Bathing by Ed Ahern — Poem unrhymed

"...concrete and asphalt barnacles..."

When Forests Write Poetry by Supatra Sen — Poem unrhymed

"...an ancient text with wisdom of generations..."

Dogtopia by David Cairns — Speculative fiction

Maybe the words "responsible ownership" really do have a place?

West Texas by Tim Hobbs — Speculative fiction

In a world in which ethical treatment of human beings seems irrelevant, how will we treat AI?