Writings

Writings
Miscellaneous Writings and Musings

Maelstrom

Maelstrom
A genie and her rock band

(Novel and Short Stories)

Steal Tomorrow

Steal Tomorrow
Murder, Mystery, First Love, and the End of the World

(Novel and Short Stories)

My Books and Stories

My Books and Stories
Where to Buy, Read, Download

New Flash Fiction

New Steal Tomorrow flash: The Best of Modern Life

55 - Road to Pietown

A long and dusty road.

A craving only one thing could satisfy.











Miles from nowhere, he despaired of finding
the object of desire that would fill his inner need.

And then he saw it.











Nirvana!













He slumped in the booth and soon saw before him

(hot and bubbling)

the freshly baked pie of his dreams.











About Friday Flash 55: The challenge is to write a complete story in fifty-five words. If you've written a 55-flash, go let The G-Man know!

M.utually A.ssured D.estruction

I collect your secrets.

I sequester your peccadilloes
in dark security near my heart.

You tell me all your vilest deeds,
for I tally, but never judge.

(I forgive but don't forget.)

In the delusions of your elastic mind,
my smile cancels all transgressions.

Go on thinking my silence is compliance.
Labor under a perception that I'm weak.
I beg of you, believe in me,
even though we are mortal enemies.

Why, you wonder, do I trust you?
Because my arsenal against betrayal

...is You.


This is a Three Word Wednesday post.

55 - Doll Collector

It's a most unseemly quality
to covet each doll you see.

(Different!)
(New!)

You scheme until you have her.
You enjoy her for awhile and show her off.
Then you put her with the others;
one more dolly on a shelf.

Are you off to collect another?

It's a most unworthy hobby for a man.










About Friday Flash 55: The challenge is to write a complete story in fifty-five words. If you've written a 55-flash, go let The G-Man know!

3WW - My Former You

I saw your photograph today:
eyes bright, jaw firm...how did I not appreciate
the angelic glory that was you?
The you I know is softer now:
nuanced, not always-right.

As these next decades pass
will we foster memories of hard-edged youth?
And when I'm old, will anyone remember
my own bright eyes and foolish follies,
or will they see only the ruin I've become?

I put your photograph away today.
Safe among a lifetime's gleanings,
this fragment will warm my winter.

This is a Three Word Wednesday post.

A Moment of Refuge

Take refuge in this moment.

Ephemeral, unknowable, it isn't what it seems.

In the madness of delusion, we seize on certain certainties,

but like a photograph of memory,
reality dissolves into disconnect if you look too closely.

Nothing is what we think; it's more interesting than that.

So rest in this moment, which is passing as we speak.

This is Buddhism-inspired poem is a Sunday Scribblings post.

55 - Operator

"Delaware sixty-five ten, please."

"Chesapeake seventy-eight nine one is also very nice."

"Delaware sixty-five ten, please."

"Are you sure? Sometimes once you've called, you find you don't want to talk to that person after all."

"Are you telling me I don't know what I want?"

"No, lady. I'm telling you I can't reach the connection!"













About Friday Flash 55: The challenge is to write a complete story in fifty-five words. If you've written a 55-flash, go let The G-Man know!

3WW - Secrets

One razor-flick of carelessness
    would topple your secret empire

        of fevered dreams,

          murky nights,

            and the smell of flesh

              and jasmine.

[And so you lie.]

Destroy your most treasured illusions.

(Let go so you can hold on.)

Control is just a whispered wish
    in an empty room.


This is a Three Word Wednesday post.

Random Saturday: Labyrinths

I walk labyrinths in the rain.
Sometimes the paths take me closer to you,
other times they lead me away.
I don't know if this pattern will guide me to my goal
or back into the unmappable world.
Of one thing I am certain, though:
Somewhere you too meander circuitous trails,
and I wonder if you ever think of me
as you walk labyrinths in the rain.

55 - Rapture

He thought his troubles would be over. No more meaningless job, no more frustration over the woman he used to love but who was now changed.

Yes, he had looked forward to the apocalypse, but now his biggest worry was the leftover brochures. Perhaps they'd make a good fire to take the chill off reality.













About Friday Flash 55: The challenge is to write a complete story in fifty-five words. If you've written a 55-flash, go let The G-Man know!