Most read stories

Arrivals and Departures

11421142 views1111 comments1010 favs

Because of her I got there early, and like I figured, the train was late.

strapped to the mast

11421142 views55 comments00 favs

The light streaming out of the background of things, in the absence of memory. That’s what I’m talking about. Prepare to let out all your light from night until dawn, if you want to be in the middle of life. I never wanted to stay at the edges. It didn’

The Fixer

11421142 views22 comments11 fav

When someone asks me what I do, I tell them that I am a fixer. I fix things. There is nothing that cannot be fixed. Will it ever be as good as new? That is subjective, but I will fix it for you.

Your dog, or hazelnut gelato - which would it be?

11421142 views66 comments00 favs

It’s hard to lose. Harder than you think. I guess the ultimate question is: If I had to give up one thing, my dog, or hazelnut gelato, which would it be? I’ll tell you, between those two, it would have been easy to choose. But losing you, that was a who

Stumbling Grace

11421142 views88 comments22 favs

I'm not sure if my heart is breaking Or attacking Like an aged lovesick romantic with a faulty beat, I sense a valve needs replacing But only after the main artery has been sutured and made whole By a seasoned and skilled Midwest surgeon in a…

The Choice

11421142 views22 comments22 favs

The bull had flesh of a deep red that turned black where the massive muscles knotted. Colt thought of the way blood turns black when it pools too deep. There was nothing but muscle, an intricate network of coarse fibers woven tightly and wrapped in a thin

Arcana Magi Zero Arc 2 - c.5

11421142 views11 comment00 favs

Alysia saw her reflection in Suzaku’s eyes. There was an empty face looking back.

London Calling

11411141 views55 comments44 favs

Bloomsbury crowd

Secondhand: Four Inscriptions

11411141 views1919 comments1414 favs

To whoever reads this next--Henry James makes my head hurt.

End of an Astronomer

11411141 views33 comments22 favs

A Dance at Midnight

11411141 views00 comments00 favs

The city was spread before me in a pattern of dancing lights, alternately hidden and revealed by the blowing snow. At this distance, it was almost beautiful. Of course, the beauty was an illusion, obvious only at a distance. If I stood here until dawn, I’

Past Brutalities

11411141 views1212 comments1111 favs

Seven micros

Thanks Again, Target!

11411141 views00 comments00 favs

A tanka poem inspired by the CEO's apology and a 10% discount for the 40 million debit card numbers stolen at Target store since Black Friday.

BARCELONA CON AMORE

11411141 views11 comment11 fav

The fog drifted in, wreathing the woman in undulate shadows as kleigs danced in wind and ships moaned. Souchet had come through the Barrio Chino to stand on the pier at the hour when dead cease their ramblings and sleep.…

Where Does the Foam From the Lattes Go?

11411141 views33 comments11 fav

Where does the foam from the lattes go? I'm not being flip--I want to know.

A Journal of the Plague Year, Day 193

11411141 views1111 comments66 favs

More thoughts on denial...

Interruption

11411141 views11 comment11 fav

As soon as he neared his neighborhood newsstand, handed over the exact change and had The New York Times in his hand, Irving switched from feeling he had no choices, to feeling he had a future.

When the Sky Was Blue

11411141 views11 comment00 favs

Michael shifted impatiently as his mom steadied the gyrocycle above the parking space. A rather blank, empty smile came over her face, and Michael understood. The Proctors were everywhere and where they weren’t, there was always a Neighbor who would be h

The Story Teller

11411141 views00 comments00 favs

I would read her stories on quiet summer days as we sat along the river, just the two of us stretched out in the tall grass, hidden in the shade of the pine trees lining the banks of the Mullica while a gentle breeze cooled our skin. She liked the way I read to…

The Heart

11411141 views00 comments00 favs

Oh, I cant stop singingThis human heart beatingWhat people say do not interest meAs much what goes on in their heartsThe heart is were they are really atNo matter what they saySome call it the IdSome call it the subconscious Some call in the willSome call it the…

Joey's War

11411141 views55 comments11 fav

Joey tried to shoot the cop with his air gun but the cop sprayed Joey with pepper spray.

The Game Show Support Network

11411141 views22 comments11 fav

Those who have lost at game shows meet each week for mutual support. All is well, until they start disappearing in ways related to their ill-fated appearances as contestants.

Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?

11401140 views77 comments66 favs

Marcel Proust had never been to a big-box store before. He was dazzled by the sheer size and scope of the store and the seeming impassivity of the shoppers. So many products, so many shelves, such strangely intriguing examples of the human condition. The people seemed…

Be Prepared

11401140 views11 comment11 fav

I thought I would beThe standing champagne glassunmarked and gleamingThe sleeping silverParalleling matesInert as ChinaBut I was the catasleep on the rug

Nude Ascending the Stairway to Heaven

11401140 views33 comments33 favs

Whoever told us that truth-telling was so wonderful, when we can plainly see that lying is the way to get results?

Lessons in Insomnia

11401140 views1111 comments99 favs

It’ll all make sense when you're sitting on an éclair chaise longue by the morning pool of coffee.

Band Member

11401140 views22 comments00 favs

If I had one of those, she said, I’d never get anything done. So naughty. Now my bones get goose-bumps too. We were playing in my rock group Spotty Behavior, and she was lead singer in The Young Vaginas, fronting for a band called The Cherry

Hitler's Younger Brother, the Mohel

11401140 views44 comments22 favs

And now for a word from Hitler’s Younger Brother, the Mohel Well, half brother really He was always such an embarrassment to the Hitler family Always climbing the infinite tree of hope Against the permanent limb of gravity No gratitude or all

Testament Part 2 of 6

11401140 views11 comment33 favs

One must learn to give the Bull the things/ it needs: space, grass and grain, his mates/ and offspring, and elude the things/ its momentary fury wants- your death

Notes

11401140 views88 comments44 favs

just want to write a music note rap my hands all over my throat jump into the city to stay afloat gotta build me a damn big boat