Journey with us tonight by Starlight—to the past into childhood, through a hidden door into a fairytale, and up, up, up into the eternal celestial sky— in the December issue of Wild Greens.
Maggie Topel’s digital art for the issue depicts the WG logo ready to stargaze at a campsite under the night sky. “In Their Falling,” a poem by Kersten Christianson, plays with the phrase “the wandering star.”
Justin Dodd Mullikin creates a collage for his daughter from his childhood self in “The Stars.” Arvilla Fee’s poem “A Star’s Last Wink” shares the wisdom of the stars from mother to daughter.
Stephanie Buosi imagines a myth of a magpie stealing stars from the night sky in the digital art “The Star Night Thief.” Ben Daggers writes an original fairytale about two statues who come to life under the moon in “Moonstarved.”
The stars and moon illuminate a winter tree in “Lanterns in the Darkness,” in watercolor and white ink pen by Angela Patera. ckSlack’s poem “The Night Sky Leans Close #6” explores the cosmic and cellular connection of two people in love. The dinner table is set with a playful meal of a Milky Way bar in Ivona Mitankina’s digital art “Sweet Milky Way.”
“Earthquake, Pinnacles State Park,” a poem by Jessica Barksdale, reflects on the constancy of the night sky. “Stars Grieve the Shattered Place,” in acrylic, by Judith R. Robinson, contrasts the perfection of celestial skies with the imperfections of life on earth.
“A Star Was (Almost) Born,” a personal essay by Pat Severin, reflects on an opportunity for a musical career that might have been.
“Cork Peep Star Gnome” by Melissa Lomax uses felt and corks to create a holiday buddy.
“Across the Galaxy” by Hayley J. Boyle is our watercolor cover for Starlight and closes the issue with a view of our cosmos.
Ad astra, friends!
-Rebecca
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by Maggie Topel
Digital drawing
Inspiration: I chose the "campsite under the stars" idea because 1. it spoke to me personally since some of my most memorable and magical stargazing experiences have been while camping, and 2. the dark forest in the background brought in "wild" and "green" themes.
by Justin Dodd Mullikin
Paper, found images from books and magazines, glue, tape
Inspiration: While reading to my daughter one night, I rediscovered an image in an old children's book of mine that briefly, but immediately, reconnected me with the feeling of childhood: an old hot air balloon floating over a town under the stars. This collage was made for her, from childhood me.
by Stephanie Buosi
Digital art
Inspiration: I was originally inspired by mythology, of stories of personified moons and suns. I thought of animal myths, and how much of nature's phenomena is explained by animal mischief (like the many coyote stories of First Nations Peoples in North America). So I thought to myself, what if a magpie, who are believed to adore shiny things, stole from the night sky?
by Ben Daggers
Lunaraeth was a joyful place, ruled over by a kind-hearted king. The rivers were clear, the harvests were plentiful, and the townsfolk were happy. But what made Lunaraeth special was its magical statues. By day, the statues were merely beautiful works of art, but by night, they would burst into life under the moonlight. The townsfolk would gather at dusk to see onyx fairies flap their wings, limestone knights march back and forth, and granite-hewn heroes flex their muscles.
Lunaraeth was blessed with every kind of statue imaginable: some giant, others tiny; some fearsome, others kindly; some famous, others forgotten. In a bramble-filled garden at the edge of the kingdom stood one such forgotten statue: an intricately chiseled couple named Crag and Petra, who danced hand-in-hand each night. At dawn’s approach, they returned to stone, awaiting the kiss of moonlight so they could resume their eternal waltz.
The only statue in Lunaraeth that remained stone, day and night, was a giant obsidian tablet at the palace gates, carved with a mysterious message: On a full moon, one man will single-handedly save the realm from evil. The prophecy has been there as long as anyone could remember, and it intrigued and baffled the townsfolk in equal measure.
The night the king died and his son took the throne, the moon swelled full in the sky. The people of Lunaraeth took this as a sign of the prophecy coming true, and though they wondered about the evil from which their realm was being saved, they welcomed the young king with open arms.
But far from saving the townsfolk from evil, the rapacious, rotten new king plunged them into it. He stuffed his belly with their food and overflowed his palace with their statues. Each new acquisition snuffed out more of the townsfolk’s happiness, tightening the king’s grip over the realm.
Within a year, the king filled every corner of the palace with stonework maidens, warriors, and mythical beasts. Though unaccustomed to their new surroundings, each night they’d come to life, filling the palace’s cold silence with laughter and joy. The king ordered his guards to board up the palace windows so that moonlight wouldn’t reach the statues, keeping them as stone forever. “None shall smile but me,” he said, sneering at his petrified prisoners.
But the cruel-hearted king was still not satisfied. He searched high and low for more statues to add to his overcrowded collection. One day, while riding in the outskirts of the realm, he spied an overgrown garden. In the center stood a marble-hewn couple, hand-in-hand with affection leaping from their frozen faces.
A lustful grin wormed its way onto the king’s face as he drank in Petra’s elegant form. “Look what we have here. Another fair maiden for my collection.” His eyes narrowed as he turned to face Crag. “Of course, I’ll have no use for this half.” The king reached into his carriage, pulling out a jewel-encrusted hammer and chisel.
After several violent blows, Crag was sent crashing to the ground, his right hand crudely severed above the wrist. Petra was carted off to the palace, her screams silenced by the daylight.
That night, Crag dragged his battered body toward the palace. Progress was slow, for when he felt the gentle tug of dawn, he was forced to seek shelter at the side of the road before he turned to stone. At dusk, his limbs awakened again, allowing him to resume his journey. So it went, night after arduous night.
Finally, a weary Crag reached the palace gates.
“State your business,” said the guard at the entrance.
“I’m here to rescue my other half,” said Crag.
A sympathetic tone crept into the guard’s voice. “I’d love to help you, but there’s nothing I can do. Unless you have an invitation stamped with the royal seal, I cannot let you enter.”
“I’ve travelled so far, suffered so much, and have nothing more to lose. I’ve already lost my happiness, my love, even my hand.” He lifted his stub toward the moonlight.
The guard’s gaze fell upon the familiar tablet. On a full moon, one man will single-handedly save the realm from evil. He looked up at the plump moon, then back at Crag, gasping as the true meaning of the cryptic message dawned on him. “You may enter,” said the guard, opening the gates.
Crag stepped inside, his eyes adjusting to the flickering candles, which spluttered light across the great hall. At the far end, a spiral staircase twisted its way toward the top of the palace. Crag could sense Petra’s presence. “I’m coming for you, my love!” he cried, scrambling up the stairs. But with every step, Crag’s pace slowed, as his moonstarved body began to harden.
At the top, he found a room filled with ancient warriors and mythical beasts. Mighty dragons languished in cobwebs, while delicate fairies stood deathly still. In the far corner was Petra, a heartbroken look on her frozen face. Crag lurched onward, but as the last traces of moonlight left his body, sinew and muscle gave way to rock and stone. He ground to a halt a few yards away from Petra. Just then, the king entered, stomping toward Crag with a foul grin.
“I have to hand it to you,” giggled the king, stroking the stump of Crag’s right arm. “You certainly are persistent. Unfortunately, I can’t let a broken, ugly specimen like you ruin my collection.” The king motioned toward the boarded-up window. “I think I’ll treat you to a vertical tour of the palace grounds. By the time you hit the courtyard, you’ll be in a thousand little pieces. The royal sweepers shall be busy tomorrow!”
He dragged Crag toward the window, as Petra and the other stone companions watched in helpless horror. The king pried off the boards and opened the window, flooding the room with moonlight.
By the time the king realized his mistake, a swarm of animate stone soldiers, raging warriors, and flying beasts were already descending on him. He stumbled backward, toward the open window, reaching out to Crag in desperation. All he found was air, as he swiped past where Crag’s hand had once been. The king’s pitiful scream was followed by a dull thud, then silence.
Crag looked at the stirring creatures around him. For so long, the cruel king had kept all of them still. Now, the castle was filled with movement, and it was the king alone who was lifeless.
From that day forth, people came from far and wide to marvel at the fantastical beasts, which filled the royal corridors after dark.
And each night, in a secluded corner of the palace courtyard, Crag and Petra twirled as one, every movement filled with love as they danced under a moonlit sky.
by Angela Patera
Watercolor, white ink pen, aquarelle paper
Inspiration: The stars and moon have the fascinating ability to transform the gloomiest of nighttime sceneries into delightfully magical spectacles.
by Ivona Mitankina
Digital art
Inspiration: The Milky Way candy bar was my inspiration for this theme.
by Judith R. Robinson
Acrylic
Inspiration: The perfection of stars, the imperfection of life on earth
by Pat Severin
I was sure of my decision, at least I told myself I was. After all, I’d taken a long time to make the decision, so I must’ve been sure, right? Besides, I genuinely loved children, so becoming a teacher seemed the obvious choice. I attended a prestigious Christian Teacher’s college and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. I taught in a Christian school in California for a year and in a couple of little burgs outside the Milwaukee area, but even so, there was that longing I couldn’t shake. I’d always dreamt of becoming a professional singer.
Well, if I were dreaming, I might as well imagine I’m a singer with a big band, singing the music from the 30s, 40s, and 50s. How’s that for a dream? But let’s be real, Patty. Big bands are a thing of the past. Why allow yourself this ridiculous dream? But isn’t that the way it is with dreams? We dream of how we wish things would be, not how they are, or even the likelihood of them actually coming true?
That’s the very definition of a dream.
Occasionally, I’d sing in a local piano bar if the man at the piano asked me to, and that served as my singer “fix” for a little while. What’s wrong with that? I’d asked myself. Why nothing…or so I thought until I was offered a gig on weekends singing at Milwaukee’s downtown Holiday Inn Lounge. It would only be for the summer months when I’d be off the clock. Still, not sure what the school board might think, I decided to perform in a blonde wig under an assumed name. But that started to eat at me and seemed dishonest not to formally inquire. So, I asked them, and not surprisingly, my inquiry was met with a resounding, “We will not approve of such a thing!” And that marked the end of the short singing career of the late, great “Heather Hughes.”
I had to admit it’s what I expected, but it didn’t lessen the sting of disappointment. Did I think singing at the Holiday Inn on weekends would be my ticket to stardom? Of course not, I really wanted to do it, but it was certainly not a sufficient reason to quit my teaching job. Then again, I rationalized, teaching jobs were plentiful, and I could easily get another one for the following fall. Back and forth and back and forth I went.
“Come on, Patty. How could you even entertain (no pun intended) such a radical idea?” Then I’d answer myself with, “But realistically, it’s not like you’re taking a summer job as a criminal. Be honest, Patty. Quitting your teaching job to sing at the Holiday Inn isn’t something a sensible girl would do!”
I finally stopped talking to myself, deciding that maybe being a sensible girl wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, and actually did quit my job. Quite a leap of faith for a sensible girl, but I did it, and I even decided to use my own name! Without question, I was glad I had followed my heart. That gig proved to be an opportunity to gain more confidence, develop skills, and become a better singer and performer. I never regretted my decision—knowing that only if I hadn’t made it, I’d regret it.
In addition to what I gained in skill, I met an older guy whose performing name was Harry Kaye. I’d heard of him enough to know that Harry Kaye and his orchestra were a pretty big deal in the Milwaukee area. He was well-known for playing the big band music of the 30s, 40s, and 50s! After seeing me perform that evening, Harry confessed he was very impressed with me. He told me he was looking for a female singer to perform with his band and offered me the gig if I wanted it. I was speechless (which hardly ever happened), and had to ask myself, “Was this really happening or am I imagining it?” However, as thrilled as I was with his offer, I couldn’t give Harry a quick answer. I had two children and a husband to consider. I needed to find out more in order to make my decision, but my head was spinning at the prospect!
Harry and I got together the next day, hashed out all the details, and I, of course, discussed it with my husband. Because he knew that this was my dream, he left the final decision up to me but agreed that it seemed like a good bet. A few days later, I took publicity pictures with Harry and his orchestra. My dream of becoming a singer with a big band was well on its way. This was definitely a “pinch me” moment! I could hardly catch my breath. My mind started racing with everything I needed to do, like put together a wardrobe, develop a song list to submit to Harry with the keys I sang them in, make arrangements on my end with Harry’s itinerary…but then, as quickly as it came together, my dream fell apart!
True to form with life and dreams, just when everything is falling into place, “life gets in the way.” Out of the blue, my husband lost his job at a local hospital because his new boss decided to bring on his own people from his former hospital. We were in a panic! My husband was scrambling, I was scrambling, and it quickly became clear that there was nothing in his field in our area. Fortunately, he was soon offered an even better position with exceptional pay and generous benefits at a great hospital. The only problem was…it happened to be in another city.
It probably goes without saying, but I was totally devastated! I called Harry as soon as I knew a move was inevitable, we said our regretful goodbyes, and with that, my dream ended as quickly as it began. Although my path to stardom had encountered a giant roadblock, I’ll always cherish the memory of how close I came to realizing it. I never got another gig singing with a big band again, but my ability to sing and perform opened many doors in my new community. Not only did it provide many performing opportunities, but it also led to directing opportunities for children’s musicals and a Christmas musical with 300 people, aged 5 to 75!
None of us has a crystal ball that can tell us what the future holds, but I can honestly say I have no regrets about how things turned out. Not many almost-born stars can say that!
by Melissa Lomax
Stitched felt, champagne cork
Inspiration: During the holidays, I love to get creative and get crafting. Using up-cycled champagne corks, sewing pins and bits of stitched felt...the 'Cork Peep Gnomes' magically appear! I especially enjoy adding a different icon on each gnome's hat to enhance their unique personality. For extra whimsy when the hat is removed it reveals (often unruly) cotton-ball hair
by Hayley J. Boyle
Watercolor
If you like the issue, you can donate to Wild Greens through our Ko-fi page!
Maggie Topel
Artist
Maggie Topel (she/her) is an artist and writer living in Philadelphia. She designs our seasonal Wild Greens logos and social media avatar.
Kersten Christianson
Poet
Kersten Christianson derives inspiration from wild, wanderings, and all that glitters and shines. Her newest poetry collection, The Ordering of Stars, will soon publish with Sheila-Na-Gig Editions. Kersten lives in Sitka, Alaska. She eyeballs tides, shops Old Harbor Books, and hoards smooth ink pens.
Justin Dodd Mullikin
Artist
Justin is a long-time art hobbyist who began practicing his art in earnest after the birth of his daughter in June 2023, hoping to capture and pass along a little bit of the magic and whimsy he sees in the world to her. There is something about the clash of styles available in collage that draws attention and messes with the mind. As a mild perfectionist, Justin also finds the ephemeral nature of the found images he works with exciting; when mistakes in cutting paper turn a planned piece into something unexpected and wildly beautiful. Originally from Kentucky, Justin is a long-time West Philly resident. He holds a PhD in geography from Rutgers University and is currently a lecturer in writing at the University of Pennsylvania. While teaching is his vocation, Justin will always wish he had more time for art.
Arvilla Fee
Poet
Arvilla Fee lives in Dayton, Ohio where she teaches English for Clark State, runs her own online magazine, Soul Poetry, Prose & Arts, and is the lead poetry editor for October Hill Magazine. She's been published in numerous national and international magazines and has three published poetry books available on Amazon. For more info, visit her website: https://www.soulpoetry7.com
Stephanie Buosi
Artist
Stephanie is a Canadian illustrator and graphic designer who loves drawing animals, fantasy creatures, and kids on adventures. She’s an environmentalist, and in her spare time volunteers with Turtle Protectors in Toronto, assisting mama turtles throughout the nesting season. When she’s not doodling in her sketchbooks, you can find her outside among the trees or escaping into new fantasy worlds with a good book and a cup of tea. See more of her work at www.stephaniebuosi.com.
Ben Daggers
Author
Ben Daggers is a short story writer who loves exploring the dark edges of fiction, then slowly backing away before things get a bit too dark. His words have been published in PRISM International, Sky Island Journal, Literary Veganism, and many other places. His stories can be found at bendaggerswrites.net. When not writing, procrastinating, or feeling guilty for procrastinating instead of writing, Ben spends his time doting over an emotionally-needy Italian greyhound.
Angela Patera
Artist
Angela Patera is a published artist, writer, and poet. Her short stories and poems have appeared in publications such as Livina Press, Bitterleaf Books, Haunted Words Press, and elsewhere. Her art has appeared in numerous publications, as well as on the cover of Small Wonders Magazine, Indie Bites Magazine, The Ophelia Gazette, and a few more. When Angela isn't creating, she likes to spend time in the woods, cemeteries, and museums. You can find her on Instagram @angela_art13 and Bluesky @angela-art13
ckSlack
Poet
ckSlack (she/her) is an emerging poet currently living in Pittsburgh, PA. She is influenced by Renaissance and Surrealism art and inspired by classical and alternative music. She has been published in The Ravens Perch, Unleash Press, and upcoming in The Mackinaw Journal 02/02/2026 (seven prose poems).
Ivona Mitankina
Artist
Ivona Mitankina is an illustrator from Vranje, Serbia, currently living in Vratsa, Bulgaria. Represented by Illo Agency, she brings a strong sense of narrative and atmosphere to her work, influenced by her background in costume design. Ivona illustrates children’s books and develops personal projects inspired by everyday rituals, travel, and the quiet beauty of human connection. She is also expanding into editorial illustration, where her warm, textural style lends itself to capturing both nostalgic and contemporary stories.
Jessica Barksdale
Poet
Jessica Barksdale’s seventeenth novel, What They Found at the Lake, is forthcoming in 2027. Her short story collection Trick of the Porch Light was published in 2023. She’s published three poetry collections: When We Almost Drowned (2019), Grim Honey (2021), and Let’s End This Now (2024). Her work has appeared in The Sun, North American Review, Arts & Letters, and december.
Judith R. Robinson
Artist
Judith R. Robinson is an editor, teacher, fiction writer, poet, and visual artist. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, she is listed in the Directory of American Poets and Writers. She has published 100+ poems, five poetry collections, one fiction collection, and one novel, and edited or co-edited eleven poetry collections. Teacher: Osher at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. News: She won First Prize, The Reuben Rose International Poetry Competition, Voices Israel, 2024.
Pat Severin
Author
Pat Severin is a retired elementary school teacher, and has been writing for many years. In addition to Wild Greens, her songs, poems and essays have been published in many online magazines, journals, and anthologies. She has also been a contributor to three books.
Melissa Lomax
Artist
Melissa Lomax (she/her) is a freelance illustrator, writer, and cartoonist with 20 years of experience in the creative industry. Some of her clients include Sellers Publishing/RSVP, Fun Folks, American Greetings, Great Arrow Graphics, Lenox, and Highlights for Children. Her comic 'Doodle Town' posts on GoComics.com, the largest catalog of syndicated cartoons and comics. When she is not in the art studio, she enjoys spending time in nature, drinking really good coffee, and 'everyday adventures' with her husband. Visit Instagram @melissalomaxart for weekly inspiration!
Tim Brey
Music Editor
Tim Brey (he/him) is a jazz pianist living in Philadelphia. He holds positions as Artist-in-Residence and Adjunct Faculty at Temple University and West Chester University, where he teaches jazz piano, music theory, and improvisation. Check out more of his music and his performance schedule at https://www.timbreymusic.com.
Jessica Doble
Poetry Editor
Jessica Doble (she/her) holds a PhD in English from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She's published two critical works: “Hope in the Apocalypse: Narrative Perspective as Negotiation of Structural Crises in Salvage the Bones” in Xavier Review, and “Two-Sides of the Same Witchy Coin: Re-examining Belief in Witches through Jeannette Winterson’s The Daylight Gate” in All About Monsters. Her poetry has appeared in PubLab and Wild Greens magazine.
Myra Chappius
Poetry Editor and Copyeditor
Myra Chappius (she/her) is the author of six works of fiction and poetry. While her passion lies with shorter creations, it is her aspiration to complete a full-length novel and screenplay someday. She enjoys reading, tennis, cinema, live music, and seeing the world. When not doing mom things, she is working full-time, learning yet another language, and planning her next adventure.
Her work can be purchased on Amazon.
Jacqueline Ruvalcaba
Senior Editor
Jacqueline (she/her) edits fiction and nonfiction as the senior editor for Wild Greens magazine. She earned her BA in English and creative writing at the University of California, Riverside, and completed training as a 2021 publishing fellow with the Los Angeles Review of Books. She previously served as a co-editor for PubLab, editor for UCR's Mosaic Art and Literary Journal, and as an intern with Soho Press. In her free time, she loves to read all kinds of stories, including YA, literary fiction, sci-fi, and fantasy.
Hayley Boyle
Arts Editor
Hayley (she/her) creates the cover image for every issue of Wild Greens and serves as the Arts Editor. Hayley is a social justice seeker, world traveler, rock climber, dog snuggler, frisbee player, event planner, and storyteller. She loves to paint with watercolors, embroider, and write. She grew up reading sci-fi and fantasy, and, to this day, she still turns to those genres to help her make sense of the world. She calls Philadelphia home where she lives with her husband Evan and dog Birdie, and she wouldn't have it any other way. You can find Hayley on Instagram @hayley3390.
Rebecca Lipperini
Editor-in-chief
Rebecca Lipperini (she/her) is a writer, teacher, and academic living in Philadelphia, and the founding editor of Wild Greens magazine. She holds a PhD in English from Rutgers University, where she taught all kinds of classes on literature and poetry and writing, and wrote all kinds of papers on the same. Her essay on the soothing aesthetics of the supermarket was recently published in PubLab. She teaches in the Critical Writing Program at the University of Pennsylvania.
You can find Rebecca on Instagram @rebeccalipperini (personal) @wildgreensmag (you already know it).