Fiction Friday — The sun reflected so brightly off the snow that Jessica needed to put on her sunglasses. Fumbling for the case in her backpack, she found the Ray-Bans and easily slipped them on. She’d decided to buy only the best since treating herself to Lasik surgery last year. Now she thoroughly…

“hiraeth” — I close my eyes to summon that place dry and windy skirting the desert summer’s heat runs through my veins and the Santa Ana wind tangles my hair on nearby tracks the Southern Pacific sits its engine idling for hours the air choked with fumes my scattered thoughts roll like tumbleweeds blowing…

Poetry Sunday — I see hope in raindrops and budding trees in yellow daffodils and puffy white clouds I hold hope’s hand as I walk to the park with my grandson I hear hope in laughter as my fingers trace the soft cheek of my new granddaughter I taste hope in a meal prepared…

A Slow Motion Rainbow — waterfalling colors dripping, pooling a slow motion rainbow plopping to the floor splattering walls creeping like Salvador’s timepieces minute and hour hands frozen in time pigments muddled yellow, brown, and red creating an ugly hue of stickiness a meandering fusion readily embraced by the outstretched arms of long green shag …

A Home Depot Story — As a Home Depot Greeter, I generally stayed close to the front doors, although there are special circumstances that can lead me to help elsewhere. This is a story about one of those occasions. A woman and her young son passed by me on their way to the exit. I…

In a field of crunchy snow — standing in a field of crunchy snow arms outstretched scarecrow style she is quiet and still her face tipping skyward fresh snowflakes settle on pink rosy cheeks the embrace of silence leaves her alone in the world a solitary scarecrow standing in a farmer’s field a scarecrow whose straw stuffing has been…

and the Perfect Mojito — He casually stepped behind the bar and after a quick glance to get familiar, mixed himself a drink. She was intrigued at how effortlessly he filled the tumbler with ice, making himself a 7 & 7 with ease. She made her way across the room as if she were a…

Lock and Key — You. Keep the key. Close. Prepared to open. The lock. At a moment’s. Notice. You. Gloat over. Grievances. You’ve. Secreted away. And. Frequently regurgitate. What’s been. Crammed. Into. Your tight. And. Airless. Drawer of judgments. Hate. Malice and. Loathing. Neatly stacked. To be. Easily retrieved. And. Held. High. Poised. Like…

Bitter Comfort — The blanket clutched tight, pulled up chin high. Her clenched hands frozen, unwilling to loosen their grip. Beautiful, petrified wood. Drawn up a little more, touching her bottom lip. Straight teeth gnaw, like a rat, at the border. The old blanket tastes of jealousy, loathing, and contempt. Deep satisfaction. Another…