Underground Bookshelf

Pride in oneself, pride in a friend or family member, pride in standing up for an ideal - June is a time for centering LGBTQ+ Pride, identities, and experiences. Short stories, short memoirs, flash fiction, poems, and first chapters are all welcome! Please let me know if your submission comes with any content warnings. I also ask everyone to refrain from egregious violent or sexual content as I don't put age restrictions on content.

Spring now artsy

in the calm of twilight’s fold

Winter snow goin' far awayLike white clouds vanishing in dismayThe air is crisp, the sky is blueLight shines idle and trueGrass grows in radiant twilightThinking of the warming delightSpringtime snickers, happily, to the skyWhile looking down on showery mountain highWinds billow across blue yonder Life rests, effortless, in casual slumber

My eyes roll back.I’m losing control top down –Trapped.

Thank you so much to everyone who submitted their work to this year's Poetry Open. I was thrilled to review the work of a large percentage of new participants as well as welcome the poems of some Underground Bookshelf regulars. I'm so happy to see this community grow and develop!

I stumble, dizzy,catch myself on the counter,wait for it to pass.

From the brooding womb of storm-clad clouds,The silver veins of heaven spill,A mother’s touch on parched earth’s brow,A sword that cleaves the granite hill.

Crystal spring-fed streamFlowing down the mountain sideLike a springtime dreamOver rocks and boulders slide,Gurgles on its wayTo the valley far below.Silver minnows play’Leave behind the frigid snow.Down to sheltered vale,Carries life upon its breastWhere plants and beasts availNew life and on the banks shall rest.

For so long, I’ve searched for the right words,To capture what I lost when you slipped away.Like waves, pulling at the shore, grain by grain,Your absence erodes parts of me I cannot name.

All forms of poetry are welcome (under 2,000 words). However, I do not put an age restriction on these contests, so I ask everyone to, please, refrain from egregious sexual or violent content and let me know if there is an important content warning.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the April Flash Fiction and Poetry Contest. I was so excited to welcome some new folks to the contest, as well as our regulars and some folks who returned after several months away.