Dear Flying Island Readers: Welcome to the 4.25 Edition of the Flying Island Journal! In this edition we publish poems by M.J. Arcangelini, Rebecca Mueller , Natalie Solmer , Antonia Matthew , and Sarah Seybold . Inspired to send us your fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction? For more info on how to submit, see the tab above. Thank you for reading, Flying Island Editors and Readers
Across St. Martin Bay M. J. Arcangelini The two tall towers of the Mackinac Bridge stand fuzzy, but visible, on the horizon line. This first frosty morning of the season the water appears still as a freeze frame, but that will come later, with the snow, for now the motion across the surface of St. Martin Bay remains observable, a liquid shiver, anticipating the cold which will soon convert it all to ice, solid open space for snowmobiles and hockey teams, where coyotes may consume their kills in peace. In this shrinking meantime, on this calm morning the water is a simple zen mantra muttering itself to the gentle breeze, offering peace to even the most troubled of souls, if they will have it. M. J. (Michael Joseph) Arcangelini’s work has been published in many magazines, online journals, and anthologies, the most recent of which is “Pawning My Sins” (Luchador Press, 2022) and “Fierce Kisses” (Squares & Rebels Press, 2024).