She yawns cat-stretching her ebon legs on cool concrete a cracked stoop Hearing music she moves her lips silent cadenced rocking back and forth pats gently her hands quiet percussion for a silent tune She glances at the overgrown lawn the street in repose the houses the sky and lapses to a flat stare at… Continue reading Auburn
without the shadow beauty cavils and retreats chiaroscuro kneeling on hassocks talk love, act like a cossacks put boys in hammocks so many dark eyes seen in Rome, evoking nothing without a future Pope took a hammer And knocked off their penises Yet still stuck smiling Ancient stone of Rome Attacked by a steady rain… Continue reading Haiku(s)
He is thinking mostly of himself as he turns left off Jackson and onto Lake Shore Drive. The first selection of the playlist is finishing and the one for which he was waiting begins. He has waited many years for this song to start in the context he has created today; a particular piece of… Continue reading Are you going with me?
“Where are you?” Jon’s voice filled James’ Mercedes. “On Madison.” “Downtown already?” “No on the West Side. It’s slower than the expressway, but gives me more certainty. There’s a lot of lights but little traffic. I’ll be there right on time. I have a call at 9.” He heard Jon sigh. “Yeah I am just… Continue reading Certainty
Margaret is up early, walking east after leaving the little doughnut shop on Chicago avenue. Hot coffee finds her lips sleepy and she all but dribbles it down her front. “Very lady like.” But there is some comfort in the slight burn. Coffee to her tastes best out of a styrofoam cup through a half … Continue reading Chicago Avenue
It’s a monster! With the rasping chatter of a Velicoraptor grasping clawing clawless with uncertain intent the opening curtain, certain in portent His roar in a tongue foreign commands unclear demands you dare not ignore bringing tribute to the gaping maw nosferatu’s eyes stare Gaping at his paw Feasting eyes devouring everything indulging the… Continue reading Monster
this story should be read after ‘Scars and other metaphors’ – see below “Hey, don’t be an idiot. The water doesn’t stay warm.” Ingrid called from the bathroom. Jose languished in the bed, naked, sticky. He wanted to be in the bath. He needed to be in the bath. He wanted to be in the… Continue reading Bubble Bath
“Jesus, we could barely see.” “And that friend of Steve’s, the mechanic, or whatever he was, he was sweet on you. Thought he was smooth” “He was so greasy. Richard Gerehead.” “The four of us drove to that all night rib place on the south side. They had that bulletproof glass with the turnstile … Continue reading The Joneses – working
“ I don’t know. I don’ t like the direction which this is heading.” Our son is two and is now putting on movies by himself. “ Honey I think you’re over-reacting.” “Frankly I’m scared.” I find myself at the kitchen table, clinging to a cup of coffee while my wife flirts distractedly with the… Continue reading Disney
Nora finished bringing the flowers onto the back porch and made sure the back door locked behind her. She went to the kitchen sink to wash her hands. She drew them back immediately after putting them under the stream of water, thinking that the water was hot. She realized instead the water wasn’t warm but… Continue reading Bell Street
jbrglnd works 