Nova
I remember a white candle, as tall as a marble column, melting in the evening and slowly sliding down her hand and her wrist the way ice cream did when she wasn’t paying attention. And from the wax beads of pearly sweat, hot from the glorious flame, kisses of pain made her eyes shutter, but she would try to hide that from me. She would just hold my hand firm in hers and lead me through the dark, and I would worry. Maybe she could feel my hesitation in the way I walked behind her, dragging my feet along and looking back at our little house, so she told me not to be such a wimp, promising that we would be back by curfew. I asked her why she brought a candle because I thought it made more sense to bring a flashlight, but she ignored me and pulled harder on my arm.
“What if Mom finds out?”
Lost and Found
As I walked through the park, I heard someone crying.
I stopped by the cave and saw the bear with his head in his hands.
“What is the matter?” I asked with caution.
He looked up at me, drunk as a skunk.
Lessons In Life #21
Sometimes, I’m tempted to exercise my right to bear arms.
But then I stop to consider the pain inflicted onto the bear.
…So, I don’t.
The Feast
I was never fond of the tall, heavy pale blue apartment doors in our building; the way they opened and closed with those fierce slams always left me alone and unwelcome in the hallway. This one was labeled “6H”, and after I knocked, Sal’s mother emerged from inside. She had been expecting me.
“Hi Mrs. G.”
“Salvatore already left.”
“Oh.”
“Hurry up, he’s not gonna’ wait for you.”
“Right” (more…)
Making Amends
In the distance, a rifle has gone off.
The birds scatter. Animals patter.
Most likely a hunting scene.
Nonetheless, I drive over to investigate.
I see a man lying in a pool of blood.
The smell of cigarrettes draws my attention.
I pull out my gun and spot him, laughing.
(more…)
