Written by: Jeanne Polochansky kiss me once, kiss me twice, kiss me ’til the ice has thawed between our throats, my one i want to hear those favourite words you say not with my ears, but with the way you press your fingers to my bones as if i am a piece of stone or marble, clay you’re no hunter, you’re a fool -you gave your lips, your skin, your eyes to me you knew all i could give you was my spear my dear мой дорогой, i want to stay in this embrace, my cheek uncoy against your neck, its notch our tired eyelids slipping shut forgetting withered wings and rings whose glow was a façade; i m ..read more

Written by: Jaclyn Pahl Shelves of books closed in like wire. She stood glaring up at the shelf second from the top, where an anthology of the works of Jack Kerouac sat, looking down, taunting her. The spine, a faded hue of red, seemed to glint with insolence — like the eyes of a thief who got away with stealing. But she could steal too, her geographic coordinates reminded her — steal away from her home country and the well-meaning people back there who could never understand, the people who judged her for her inability to pull the disparate parts of herself toget ..read more

Mnerva Literary Journal has been selected by Feedspot as #21 on their list of Top 30 Canadian Literature Blogs! We are honoured to have been picked among many great literature blogs across the country. Thank you so much to Feedspot! If you are interested in reading the full list, and learning more about Feedspot, click the link below. https://blog.feedspot.com/canadian_literature_blogs ..read more

By: Jayson Dela Fuente Sometime on a cumulus day, Grandpa and I went to the river bank, Brought nothing but an old white hue of paper. Whilst sitting on the dried hay, His white hair is a living testament to the seasons he endured, With sunken eyes and wrinkled hands, he curved the masterpiece. My memory is clear, as he started the folding, In vertical, horizontal, and in flipping up and down angles; A splendid work of art enlightens my eyes. It’s a boat, grandpa, an amazing boat! I exclaimed, Out of the glee I felt. An origami boat hand-made with great love. We&nb ..read more

Want to see your work on our website? Submit your poetry, prose, or artwork to us to be featured on our year-long blog feed! Go to the “Submit” page to find out how you can send in your work. Also check us out on Instagram (@mnervalitjournal), Twitter (@MnervaJ), and Facebook (Mnerva Literary Journal) for more updates ..read more

By Trinity Synard A descent A herd of cattle knobbing knees in the field lumbering down into the valley, hooves clashing, sifting the red sands of words related / An arrangement of burning leaves Generative ember took charge and came to being / Red, as if sun did soak through like rain / could imbue the cliff face, fill the sea-wood swimming the strait / cutting the clouds on the water’s thin face / Cutting timber to bear the shades of each date meshed in the body we inhabit / became we are strange we all are strange so thoroughly turned and wonderous things Trinity Synard is a fourth-year st ..read more

Mnerva is proud to announce the winner of our first-ever William Gibson Poetry Award, as well as three shortlisted poets! The winning poems is awarded $500 and publication in our upcoming print journal. Winner: “Kin” by Trinity Synard Shortlisted poems: “ful(l)” by Leah Duarte “Canlit Eulogy: A Love Letter” by Anna Sokolova “Dreams for Hire” by Ojo Taiye ..read more