One Cent Candy

by: Rachel Neumeister

Hi there Sonny, what can I get you today?
I’m sorry, but I don’t have those anymore.
Because I did not like counting them for children who wanted a hundred of them for a loonie. It was too much work.
There are other candies here too, you know. There are lemon swirls or chocolate nuts or sour sticks or cherry delights or strawberry chewies or my favourite – butterscotch bursts.
I’m sorry ma’am; we got rid of them last month. I don’t have any for your son.
I almost regret it though. The young’ns always come in here, wanting those things and paying for them with a coin they found on the street. The disappointment on their faces makes an old man like me feel sorry for them kids. I hate saying no.
What a grand idea! I will include them with tonight’s order to the factory.
Come back on Saturday, kid. We’ll have ‘em back again then.

and through

in imitation of e.e. cummings’ “in just”

by: Rachel Neumeister

and through
fall when the world is colours
crunchy the children run

and scream into and rustle

and johnandliza giggle
to the rain through the
leaves and it’s
fall

when the world is mud-magnificent

the slow
delirious child whispers
into and rustle
and hanzelandsam come singing

from lazy days and summer nights

it’s
fall
and
the
egg-handed

child gallivants
into
and
rustle

A Leap

by: Wesley Hague

All life begins with a single leap
to choose Him whose promises keep.
To choose the cross over our life.
To choose the way riddled with strife.

Life must continue this treacherous climb
During which we will struggle and pine.
To give to Him, all that we can.
And to follow His all amazing plan.

Backs may turn and friends forsake.
And earthly promises turn to fake.
But He, single, unchanged, true.
Will keep all He promised to you.

Each day, which path we choose.
To which path shall our life lose.
The wide or narrow, the large or the small
But to God’s path is that which I call.

Lost

by: Jordan Vetro

The sun has faded into gray
And I have lost the lights of day
For I am behind retched walls
Of my own prison's narrowed halls.

I met a man upon a trail
Who told to me a somber tale,
Of kings who once did nobly fight
But perished in the lonely night

He told me he could give to me
More power than my mind could see
And promised me such riches great
But warned me of a horrid fate

I did not care about the gloom
I was too young to think of doom
I took what wealth he gave to me
And squandered it so foolishly

But alas so unknowing was I
As my own destiny drew nigh
I abandoned love and hope and trust
But soon my riches turned to dust

And when all of my wealth was gone
I could no longer see the dawn
The sun has set upon me now
And it was too soon to show me how

How I could have loved them true
And how I could have best loved you
You left me when my riches grew
And now I wish I only knew

The sun has faded into gray
And I have lost the lights of day
I'm forced to perish all alone
For I lost you to gain my throne.