By Maria Capezio Crookes Cuppies & Joe was our chosen coffee spot to meet after work. Our friendship was born in the front office of an elementary school and grew thanks to caffeine, terrible coworkers, a resignation, and the need for someone to listen to us. Like any plant that you feed coffee grounds, our friendship grew fast. The coffee dates became movie nights, babysitting, and a matching tattoo that I swore I would never get. There are 4,000 miles between us, and coffee doesn’t taste the same without her.

By R.E. Lowrance Hoar frost melts softly under my prints. The air filters the same sleepy blue as my mind. Tree roots sleep at my feet, and gold reflects off the mountain’s winter coat. Alizarin crimson fades around the edges of new snow. My skin takes on a hint of green beneath the fur of my hat and it’s more apparent here than anywhere. The frost nips and herds, the path carries on, endless. After so long in the cold, the woods and wild, the hearth tempts me not. I live for glass on my eyelashes, the scent of pine on my nose, and a quiet mind soothed in blue.…

By R.E. Lowrance Chrystal paths Of blue and gold Turn dark On where I step. Walk not our path, They seem to say, New snow is hard to lay. But I know why They cry out so, I know why they weep. For paths like them Get no regard From those they wish to keep.