harvest moon
his change cup fills
with dead crickets
—Colleen M. Farrelly
mom, the stars tonight are not what they seem but so, so long ago. so all our wishes were futile. those disney movies told us nothing but lies. and those that did come true were just coincidence or luck.
yet as your granddaughters still make their wishes, i do not have the nerve to tell them this truth. for the illusion of hope is magical enough. especially for any grown-up who is lucky enough to keep their inner child and still believe that there are other ways to achieve your wishes. just like how there are ways to achieve your dreams. right out of the same night sky that illuminates them into reality.
shepherd’s flock
a few lambs with no bells—
my mother’s last wish
enough space
inside the coffin
her favourite book
—Ravi Kiran
one leaf at a time
a maple unveils
the sky
—Ravi Kiran
not if but when autumn leaves
—Alvin B. Cruz
komorebi
the warmth of her
side of the bed
—Alvin B. Cruz
lilac sunday
how quickly
it passes
—Ann Sullivan
mum's sewing bag
threading her needle
thirty years later
—Ann Sullivan
seed catalogue
in his hands
next summer's stories
—Oscar Luparia
(in memory of my father-in-law)
the time it takes
for my aging beagle
to close his eyes—
crumbled dog-treat pieces
left in my jean pocket
—Chen-ou Liu
sudden downpour
the stone buddha
still laughing
—Thomas David
passing fog—
seeing the forest
through the trees
—Thomas David
(Last update, May 16, 2026) Email for submissions: journalcoldmoon(at)gmail(dot)com Editors: Timothy Daly, Oana Cercel. ~~~~ You may submi...