Raphael's Village

But first, a big thank you to all our Independence Day contest entrants. We hope to see more from all of you, whether you're taking home a prize this time or not. And another big thank you to our five guest judges -- we couldn't have done it without you (again)!

And now, on with the countdown...

The entries are in.

The judges are reading.

Votes WILL be tallied.

And winners will be announced.

The 2009 Raphael's Village Independence Day contest results...coming soon...for your reading pleasure...

Watch this space!

A disquieting tale about the perils of modern life, by one of our newer contributors. Be worried if you can relate too well to the protagonist of this story... Fiction Editor

Invisible, by Karla Lammers


My wife stumbled into the kitchen as I poured coffee into my portable mug. She greeted me from behind with a bear hug, which I rewarded by pushing her abruptly away. “Not now. I’m late,” I said.

A sweet remembrance of an event all of us can relate to from a new contributor. Enjoy this cheerful trip down memory lane. Poetry Editor

My First Day of School, by Karla Lammers

A new poem by another new contributor, this one a heartfelt take on one of history's oldest stories. Poetry Editor


The Centurion, by Ryan Ulp

A new narrative nonfiction piece from a new contributor. We know you'll enjoy meeting this animal family as much as we did. Fiction Editor

Bubba, by Linda McHenry


Beagles come from a long ancestral bloodline of rabbit-hunting, briar-thumping, cat-chasing pedigrees. My Bubba Dog was different. He grew up with a rabbit for a brother, several feline sisters, and a cat for a lover. Rather than hunting rabbits in the woods, he played nursemaid to a menagerie of orphans I introduced him to. I often wondered if I had done right by Bubba. Was Mother Nature perhaps disappointed in me?

Another poem from one of our newer contributors with a very moving take on a deepseated love affair. We hope you enjoy it like we do. Poetry Editor

Love Affair, by Michael Velardo


We passed and touched so many times in this life.
I searched for answers on my need and want for you, 
sacrificing values, morals, and pride just to be near you.
More often than not, we found each other, even though
it’s been a one-sided relationship.
But that didn’t matter, I was faithful.

'Political' AND 'scientific' humor from one of our favorite contributors. A double, so to speak. Enjoy...and please, don't squeeze the Village. Humor Editor

Al Gore's Revenge, by Steve Barber

I'm the furthest thing from a conspiracy theorist you'll ever find. The world's full enough of nutzoids and their nutzo causes, and it's not my nature to add to it. But when egregious crimes are committed under our noses -- or, more accurately, under our backsides, it's time for action. So I'm here to tell you there’s a conspiracy afoot, and it’s a bad one. It’s a toilet paper conspiracy. Laugh if you want, but it’s true. I've been hesitant to bring it up for discussion because people don’t like to think about toilet paper any more than they like to think their parents ever had sex (they did, you know). But I have to take that chance. Toilet paper is far too indispensible. This threat cannot be ignored any longer.

June 4 – 7, 2009
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For More information and the application, contact RoseAnne Schrimpf at (602) 309-0045 or schrimpf@cox.net

An interesting and compelling look at reflection and other, deeper emotions from a new contributor. Poetry Editor

Looking Glass, by Michael David Velardo

A new poem from one of our favorite contributors, this one a contemplation of something many can relate to. Poetry Editor

Divorce, by W.K. Everhart

A new narrative nonfiction piece by one of our regular contributors. This is both a great tribute to the love animals can show both their human companions and their four-legged compatriots, but also a warning for dog owners -- pay attention to those harnesses. Fiction Editor

Love is Given, Love is Returned, by Heather Gregson

I found my first dog, Belle, in a mall parking lot. It was a freezing Veteran's Day weekend and she was chasing seagulls. I opened the car door, whistled and she ran straight to me and jumped into my arms. Fun as it was playing with seagulls, Belle was ready to go to a new home. She'd been abandoned at the mall because she was sick. Several vet visits later, Belle was healthy and I had a great new companion. Belle was four months old when I found her and it hardly seems possible that she has been a part of my family for over twelve years.

Another great poem from one of our favorite contributors. Enjoy the 'wicked' imagery. Poetry Editor

My First Love Poem, by Phyllis Hemann

We confess, we laughed out loud at the ending of this piece from a new contributor. We refuse to consider what that says about us. Humor Editor

Just Let Me Die, by Hannia West

It hurts. Oh, God, how it hurts. The pain is almost blinding as I strain. My face is as red as a tomato, I can tell just by the heat radiating from it. Sweat pours down the sides of my cheeks from the pressure. I pant uncontrollably.

A timely piece from one of our Aussie contributors we hope you all read. We'd like to also suggest, if you're able to, that you donate to one of the charities helping the great land of Oz out during these tough times. Fiction Editor

The Australian Bushfires, by Jenna Cosgrove

They call it Black Saturday – one of the darkest days in Australian history.

The state of Victoria had been experiencing a hellish heatwave, with a string of days over 43C degrees (109.4F).  Australian summers are notoriously hot and dry, and we are accustomed to bushfires tearing through the country.  We have plans, procedures, state of-the-art equipment and talented, committed firemen in place to quell the fires as they crop up.  We fight against mother nature in our wild country year after year, and generally we make it through, albeit a little worse for wear.