Finalist Gerald R. Wheeler Sika Landscape II A rusty pickup packed with crates washed up by storm, backfires loud as a cannon, spooks Clydesdales pulling empty carriage heavy as loneliness. Their massive feathered hoofs stomping cobbled stone, noble bodies rearing, raised heads shaking wildly, jangling silver bells on braided manes. The young raven-haired woman driver, dark eyes welling tears, tightens grip of reins with callous hands as leather harnesses embrace arched necks and bluff shoulders. Nearby, a crossing guard carrying a STOP sign in the middle of street, gazes at sky pouring liquid sun on pedestrians racing to last bargain and disillusionment. He returns to his station under a lamp post sprouting flowers. Down the road, a spruce forest with wire cages filled with wounded eagles, hawks and owls shot by poachers. Casualties rescued by the Sika Raptor Refuge Center. Below the sanctuary, a battalion of headstones of America’s fallen not saved stand in formation saluting stars. _ ___ _ Table of Contents _ Allison Joseph _ Maureen Tolman Flannery _ Carissa DiGiovanni _ Dion N. Farquhar _ Willa Granger _ Sandra Soli _ Gerald R. Wheeler _ Michele Battiste _ Radames Ortiz _ Brady Rhoades _ Jennifer Weathers _ Helen Wickes _ Allen Gee _ Michelle Panik O'Neill _ Susana Chavez-Silverman _ Susana Chavez-Silverman _ Liz Dolan _ Author Bios