Wendy McDonald’s mind was high as a Prism Designs kite. She’d been relaxing after a long day, puffing on a STIIIZY Skywalker OG pre-roll, when she blasted off like Dave in the Star Gate sequence of “2001: A Space Odyssey.” …

As the sun set over the horizon, Art sighed. “What a stunning landscape,” he said, from behind the easel. “In hansa yellow, cadmium orange and a touch of quinacridone rose.” With one last, feather-light touch of his brush, he’d captured all he wanted to of the moment. “Or PANTONE+ 1–16…

“Aiden?” “Mm-hmm?” “Do you mind turning off the light?” “Sure. I don’t need it.” As the room dimmed into darkness, Cate sank deeper into the sofa. Deeper into the realm mapped onto her mind by a reality-bending headset. Here, there was no old, gray-walled apartment. No dirt nor dust. Colors…

We wandered through the winding streets, arm-in-arm, marveling at the still-light sky and the density of humanity that surrounded us. It didn’t matter where we meandered. There was discovery in every direction. A medley of sights, smells and sounds challenged the complacency of our day-to-day. Scraggly and sleepy-eyed from travel…

It was nice while it lasted. The surge of adrenaline each time I appeared on the galactic stage. The adoring screams of faceless followers worshipping me at every turn, bathed in sweat and solar solicitation. The persistent pyrotechnics that ignited my every expression. I was hot for eons. …

Of longing and leaning in Virgule Unicode propped himself against a wall, arms folded. Peering at the horizon, he traced the deckled edge of day as it gave way to night. “Hey, Twig. Mind if I join you?” He’d barely turned his head before Caesura inclined beside him. Caesura, that…

“I’m here!” a voice shouted from the darkness. No gender. No agenda. No direction. I searched for its source in the silence that followed. Then, “So am I.” Another voice, clouded by the cold air, hovered in the distance before wisping away. I’d stepped onto the balcony only moments before…

A bouquet of 12 haikus in advance of Valentine’s Arising roses’ aromas roam nostril roads, scenting cilia — Meaning has mated the genius genus Rosa to human romance — Bloom, not blush, young bud Beware the prickly stickler, fixed and flowerless — Gently, the gard’ner showers each showy flower with hose hydration…

An acrostic* appreciation for a great American leader — Today we praise the life, strife, Oratory and victory of one who shifted history — Reverence for the reverend who Energized a movement of marches and Voices formerly shackled and silenced. Erasing racial division, MLK’s MO, Rejected society’s segregated standard. Encouraging us to pursue justice, this Noble Nobel Prize winner, though…