Sidereal
by Kathy Fish
Mothra
Her brother returned late at night. He opened his arms, showering her bed with wrapped and tied things. His face in the TV light dissolving, reconstituting. I've seen this one, he said. And she told him don't leave, I'll change it! Her hands in a panic, feeling all over, knocking things off.
Sidereal
When they were young, their father sent mittens in red and green, forgetting it was summer there and that their hands had become large and grasping. And that now they ran shirtless like pagans under southern stars. They took his gifts and dressed up the tree like a sentry, a monster with four hands.
Kindling
Her brother said careful, the snow globe! And as he moved his arms and legs broke off, broke apart, like kindling. The fine bones of his hands spidered across the floor. Gathered like that.
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Author's Note
Very honored to learn that this has been accepted for the first issue of Blue Five Notebook. Many thanks to Sam and Michelle.
Other stories by Kathy Fish
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The title is perfect, and also as the title of the middle piece, which I love: "now they ran shirtless like pagans under southern stars." Really everything about this is wonderful. It radiates heat.
Wow, Jane, thanks so much.
Amazing work.
Excellent work. The last micro, in particular, is amazing.
Pieces to engage with, letting the images and themes work their lovely patterns, weave.
Sam, Christian, David, thank you so much.
Lots to love here. “Sidereal” is my favorite: “their hands had become large and grasping” is a great image!
Thanks, Kari. I'm so glad to know these are working.
..They took his gifts and dressed up the tree like a sentry, a monster with four hands..
as he moved his arms and legs broke off, broke apart, like kindling. The fine bones of his hands spidered..these are the kinds of fine threading of words that get to me and stay and work their magic long after the fact.
Wow, thank you Darryl!
Love how you work the micro, Kathy, how the images build (hands, mittens, bones) to tell your story.
"pagans under southern stars" is stunning
and the weight of that close, "gathered like that" knocks me out.
Thank you so much, Sara.
Splendid fragments with acute, delicate insinuation.
I do like them all.
Love how hands bind all three -- gathering the tied things, the mittens, gathering the fine bones spidering. Magical.
Then I went to look up Mothra and sidereal, and got a whole 'nother meaning. Peace ***
Thrilled you both like this one, James and Linda. Thanks so much for your kind words and faves.
Beautifully surreal, yet the emotional connection between the brother and sister is compelling. *
Thank you, Kim!
Beautifully written with surreal imagery and subliminal emotions radiating heat of varying intensities.
Thank you, J.!
Very lovely piece. Short but so effective.
thanks, Jules!
"They took his gifts and dressed up the tree like a sentry, a monster with four hands."
Love this.
Thanks, Bill!
Ooooh, Kathy, you have the gift
*
Love all your unfortunate characters - their sadness is appealing, their actions even more...Nice work.
Susan, Shelagh, thank you!
how did I miss these gems until now?? There's nothing micro about these - whole worlds unfolding in each. ***
very intriguing, beautiful and touching images. i'm struck by the emphasis on limbs throughout - hands broken, moved, branches dressed up - strong pillars here under ground lending structural integrity to the poetic itinerary.
Thanks Julie and Marcus!