Butcher Knife

This has the feel of Simic's The World Doesn't End. I like the whole piece, but especially "Dressers turned into ferocious lions with wind-blown manes who roared above my head and rugs became snapping alligators sliding closer to the swamp of my bed." Strong imagery in a small space.

Breaking the piece into two sections works well. Great closing.

I will check out Simic's The world doesn't end. Thank you for your generous comments. It means a lot coming from you. Because your writing is very fresh to me.

Wow. Just checked out Simic. His writing is gorgeous. Thank you for introducing me.

This is great, so vibrant. Last line kills- I like the verbing.

And god, the picture is gorgeous.

Cami, thank you for the encouraging words!

I love this. I love the picture, too. Wonderful work.

Kathy, thank you for kind words!

Lisa, this is so inspiring and exciting to read. Love love love it. The tiger balm and old people spit is perfection.

I like it. Makes me want to revisit my childhood fears.

Love nightmared as a verb. And the thought of a grandmother arming the child with a butcher knife takes it out of being simple childhood memory into something weirder and more wonderful.

Thank you David, Monogamie, and Dave,

It's one of my favorite memories of how my grandmother. How she chose to protect me. How she gifted me sweet dreams night after night.

Indeed, nightmared as a verb is perfect.

And I can't help think of Sean Taylor, the murderered NFL football player, who slept with a butcher knife under his pillow a few years ago b/c of threats against him. Some dudes broke in anyway and shot him. I thought about that last night when first reading this...and thought about it again reading the final line. This really is such an evocative piece.

Very sad about Sean Taylor. I have never heard of this. Thank you David as always.

Very good, except for the ending, which was just good. I expected something more biting.

I really enjoyed reading this piece. Short works are my favorite especially when there is good description and elements of surprise. Good job.

Thanks Mark and Drew! Mark, I agree, I do think it is too soft an ending. Am working on growing this piece. Am eager to see what happens.

I really like this. I think maybe I would like it even more if it ended on the line: But maybe it was acquired.

But yes, this is good, strong stuff.

Thanks Grant. I like your suggestion very much.

I love the play between the imagined beasts and the butcher knife. Each is just as likely to leap out at any moment. Excellent tension.

Thank you Cynthia!

must have dreamt commenting on this piece b/c i recall looking at your 'wild color realization' and thought wow. beautifully conceived memory.

thank you finnegan. you made my sunday!

an acquired taste, yes: leather, tiger balm and spit! Convincingly delivered from child's eye. The images are vivid and full of motion and color (and importantly, menace...the butchery language/props bringing just the right edge...Hah!)
Interestingly, my daughter, Molly Bond recently posted a nightmare remembrance story -- http://www.fictionaut.com/stories/molly-bond/youre-not-real
I'm going to make sure she sees your color drawing, the story pairs with it wonderfully!

Fabulous piece for damn sure. Very visceral.

But a child sleeping with a butcher knife? That would give me as a mother nightmares. What was she thinking? I love the cartoon. You should move right next to your story.I've seen others do it, under author's note. It's delightful.