I can't explain why I compare, contrast and categorize life events in the way that I do; grammatically that is. What I can tell you, with declarative certainty, is that verb tenses brought me to the clichéd but absolutely true realization that you should live your life in the present. As is the case with …
Category: stories
A satisfying ending
Lorna shuffles along, curved shoulders hunched slightly forward, bald spot at the back of her head. Every morning she combs and teases the brittle numbered follicles that remain, in a last ditch effort to hide the circle of shame atop her head. Still fastidiously neat, being old school, she swipes lipstick across her thinning lips …
Meandering
The road winds, dips, rises then curves once more. It's the type of road that motorcyclists love as they lean and meld into its slope. Children too adore the endless appeal of what comes next; curious about what lies around the bend. Sometimes it is a surprise heart stopping view through an unexpected gap in …
Autumn
falling in love with autumn Trick or treating on streets still damp from rainfall. Leaves wind tossed into heaps, stuck to sidewalks and fence-posts. Nature in Caravaggio's chosen color palette. Sounds are thicker heavier, fabrics denser and meals heartier. Fresh cheeks, rain soaked slickers and damp bangs invigorate. Indoors and outdoors are distinct once more. …
It’s getting crowded
She believes the lies she has been telling herself. They are what she wants to, needs to, hear. Faster and easier that way. After all, it is the end result that counts and not all that pesky stuff in the middle. The guileful person's go to choice for a fictitious projection of self. Gotta give …
Mrs. Knapp
Mrs. Knapp had been a teacher prior to her retirement, whereupon she became simply old Mrs. Knapp (as she was referred to by all the kids in the neighborhood). Berenice's mother said Mrs. Knapp was older than our elementary school, older than the park on Falstaff, even older than some of the shade trees lining …
Liquefaction
The smell of part dog piss and part disinfectant hangs in the air making me gag. The atmosphere is moisture laden; another intensely humid 100 degree day. I wake up tired. Everything is soaked through, dingy and malodorous; each energy sucking day a reminder that forever has gotten a lot shorter. What will I possibly …
Fetal position
If I wanted to, I could destroy her. And this awareness filled me with a demented exhilaration. It was electric and awesome. I felt empowered and alive for the first time in my pathetic life. The only dissatisfying note being that she didn't look scared, not even worried really; more like deeply offended and slightly …
Everything’s not copacetic
George Negritsoyski on Pexels.com New York Spring 1953 - two friends sitting at a corner table in a packed bar drinking and smoking talk about their future ROSIE - the girl JEAN - the guy TOM - Rosie's boyfriend THE BARTENDER A COUPLE AT ANOTHER TABLE and roll em... J: Come on Rosie, let's beat …
No penny for your thoughts, but a buck for the rest
cottonbro on Pexels.com She carefully slips the dollar bill into his jacket pocket. The boring navy blue one that comes out only on special occasions. His funeral ticks that box. She is required to speak, but still hasn't come up with anything pithy to say, struggling with what is expected and what actually is. For …
Continue reading No penny for your thoughts, but a buck for the rest
Manu writes 