Is it a bird, if it cannot fly?
Category: Prose Poetry
Frozen breath
The cold is in my nose. I can no longer use it to breathe. I open my mouth and the cold pours in. It hits the back of my throat, it penetrates my trachea, and explodes into my brain. I stop, frozen, mid-stride, mid-sidewalk. At first, people flow around me, only cursing the blockage. Soon, … Continue reading Frozen breath
Years that start on Mondays
On the last day of the year, I dreamed of heat. The melting asphalt was soft under my shoes, like walking on an air mattress or a balloon. Something poppable. The thought pricked my brain and I sank, slowly, inch by inch into the black sticky sludge. Too slow. Fear turned to boredom while every … Continue reading Years that start on Mondays
Standing in line
If you don't hear our laughter does that mean it isn't happening?
daylight obscured
Do you know how fast you were going?
You want a dog
I would implode at the first bark.
Childhood
It's a state of mind. It's a series of milestones. It's mostly about endings, about starting and finishing. On my seventh birthday, I told my mom I didn’t want any more. Somehow I knew life couldn’t get any better - that aging meant less of everything my life was then made of: sunlight and fresh air, running without … Continue reading Childhood
Charity
The homeless man holds a cardboard sign towards my car while I idle at a red light. I am struck by the artistry of the sign, the layout and penmanship. I want to open the window, I want to tell him how much I admire his work, but I have no cash, and I am … Continue reading Charity
Chaos
What’s the difference between the herd of cows in the slaughter shoot and the herd of frequent flyers boarding a plane? There is none. (This is not a joke.) The chaos of the kindergarten classroom after recess is less stressful than the whiny business-casual crowd elbowing and shoving, me first, I have status! No chivalry … Continue reading Chaos
Brilliance
We speak now of the brilliance of the child. The adults charged with his care and instruction are in turn overwhelmed, frustrated, baffled and amused. Is it better to dim the blinding light – shutter – control – contain, or should one let it shine? Release the lambent humor, the distinctive speech, and the radiant … Continue reading Brilliance
Mind of a Mouse 