Hidden in Childhood – Full Cover Reveal and Preface — Short Prose

What a great day – when MasticadoresUSA is honoring youth – to share the news of the upcoming publication of Gabriel Marie Milton’s new anthology, Hidden in Childhood. This highly anticipated anthology is ready to launch in late January 2023. I would like to share Gabriela Marie Milton’s post about the book and her preface….

“From Three to Thirteen” by Shalini Narang

The many issues of Masticadores are featuring youth today. I actually started on the 7th with a poem by Nandika Narang, who is the daughter of one of the monthly contributors on MasticadoreUSA. Nandika’s poem for MasticadoresUSA’s tribute to youth was about her mother, so I thought Shalini’s poem about her daughter would be a…

“Four Poems for Youth” by Stephanie Henson

Mosaic Masterpiece You may think you are broken, but lovely things can be created from the pieces. Up, down, sideways, and in between— non symmetrical shapes in different sizes with sheen. A mosaic masterpiece, glimmers and shimmers from every angle. The glue that binds creates, A stunning piece of artwork. Each tile a testament of…

“Mom’s birthday” by Nandika Narang

MasticadoresUSA is celebrating young writers today. We encourage all the blossoming authors and hope we attract submissions from many more. We happily present Nandika’s poem dedicated to her mother, Shalini Narang. Mom’s Birthday Your strength shines inside and out, When giving us wisdom or running about- The house to make it the best. You deserve…

“The Broom: Part I” by Marlene Lee

An Award-Winning Short Story           It was one day before Clara’s flight home to New York.  She threw a broom in the back of the red pickup truck without explaining why and climbed into the passenger seat.              “Mind if I drive around a little?” she said to Raymond.   He…

“Password to Heaven” by Etya Vaserman Krichmar

          She did not remember how she arrived here. She stood in front of the Pearly Gates and observed the clear blue skies with white puffy clouds. As she waited for her turn to enter, she felt the presence of thousands of departed souls surround her.           After what…

“Handwriting” by Ann Privateer

I heard it said That therapy  Can be wonderful  My task was To write a letter To my mother First with my Dominant hand Then with the other Then I became  A child, learning To write in tears. Copyright © 2022 Ann Privateer All Rights Reserved Ann Privateer is a poet, artist, and photographer. She…

“Cold Storage” by Terry Allen

You want to see your father, my mother said, as both a statement of fact and a question. My brother said no, and I said yes, after all, I’d flown over 2,000 miles to be there, and so we waited outside a gray door until we were allowed to enter a larger room than I…

“A View Anew” by Barbara Leonhard

Fear cripples and blinds as 2022 wanes to a whimper of arthritic joints and failing eyesight. Is anyone else exhausted by nonsensical injury that December will review? The sparring Naked Kings hoard bitcoins. Push souls out of the Cloud. Shred decency into rags. Distill water into poison. Fight over center stage. Pack their coffers with…

“New Year Resolutions” by Shalini Narang

Each new year, we think up new resolutions, Conveniently forgetting last year’s dissolutions. Unfulfilled promises, made quietly or with elocution, In rare cases, leading to true and lasting evolution. Why are pledges easy to make? But easier to break? Words are simple to say and fake. True test via deeds is no piece of cake….

“MY SONG” by Francisco Bravo Cabrera

(Listening to Cliff Jordan…….) Can I speak to the morning and tell the sun where he should rise? Can I travel to the origins of the sea, the place of her birth, and walk beneath her deep, deep waters, and within the darkness gaze upon her face? Can I see beyond the gates of death…

“Courage Resurrects” by Jeff Flesch

I’ve come from afar another galaxy of stars away take shape in the sights, and sounds of the night a mirror image the fabrics and scents of you a remembrance of all that was once good and new take my heart into another dimension of space a place where light enters into the cavity of…

“how not two” by Leah Jay

Cosmos and earth are not two              knowing this, I swim past              the edge of the shallows Earth and body are not two              knowing this, I handfast myself              to a twisting willow Body and mind are…

“Talk Smack to a Hurricane” by Lynne Jensen Lampe

My Response to the Poetry Collection, a Short Reading by Lampe, and More! When I read Lynne Jensen Lampe’s poems in this collection, I tried to put myself in the tiny shoes of a little girl being tumbled about by the mystery and uncertainty that accompanies her mother’s uprooted mental state after giving birth to…

“Poetry and Shrimp” by Julie A. Dickson

         nod to The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy Before I knew of the prince in an unfamiliar low land, I already loved poetry and books. Then I heard his words spoken like whispers at low tide, a fishing net was thrown over me, dragging me into the boat with writhing shrimp…

“Warm Holiday Wishes” from Barbara Leonhard

This is the time of year when we celebrate many occasions. I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all of you as you gather for spiritual and emotional renewal, as you light candles, enjoy traditional foods, exchange gifts, and reconnect with family and friends to celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and New Year’s. The…

“Where Shall We Go” by Dawn Pisturino

Where shall we go since the old home place is gone? Mama’s gone, and papa’s gone; All the little children have long-since grown And live in the city with children of their own. Tell me, where shall we go For birthdays and Christmas and Sunday stew? Grandma is gone; the recipe she knew For blueberry…

“SMILE OF GRATITUDE” by Madhavi Karri

Pebble moon Peers through Palm fronds lattice Paper lanterned Peerless night sky Perfumed in prayers Silence sings Sweet serenade To the stoic sky Moon meshed magic Mingles with my breaths A mellifluous music Hum of heavens Hides in my heart Hope thrums high Drops of starlight Drip into my eyes Deep in my dreams I…

“The Edge of Time” by Cindy Georgakas

The stillness of the waterfall drips in harmony with the birds in flight, carried on a wing and a song on the edge of time.   It is here when our hearts fill up, and we hear the music of our soul. It quickens under our skin and pulses as it fires our systems, to…

“Body Heist” by Walter Bargen

Pilate’s pudgy skin bloated from whatever drug regime and radiation is toppling his body toward a transcendent junta of worms.  The bed elevated at a thirty degree angle makes him chatty. He gesticulates emphatically on ancient ethical ephemera.  From his quaquaversal Calvary of sheets and blankets, he’s an avatar of wrong turns and dark alleys,…