The playroom had changed itself. Again. Aims wasn’t unsure what she thought about it. The magical room with its door in her closet had always evolved. From dancing seals with balloons to meadows of daisies to Barbie pink beach house, the playroom was a minx.
Aims walked around the black painted plaster walls with careless punk band posters. Her monstera still preened by the window now framed with...
“Isn’t it fantastic, Aims? Plenty of space for a garden even?”
Nervously, Molly looked at both her girls. Shannon looked purposefully bored. Amy Marie smiled up at her mother wanting her to feel better but not knowing how. The real estate agent coughed for attention.
“This is not even on the market yet but the owner needs a quick sale. I saw this and immediately thought of you guys,” the age...
Starship Free in silent mode approached 30th Street Station. Mills slipped from behind a pockmarked pillar to signal his location. Centuries old, the abandoned museum had folded into itself from war and neglect. Mama had taken him here to play among the rubble. He remembered she told him 30th Street had once been a store for slow metal boxes that moved humans in circles. Mama had been so funny.
S...
Holding a folded bag, the detective slipped into the passenger side of a familiar blue Honda. Groaning, the driver slid down further in his seat.
“How’s it hanging Mickster? At least you’re picking a better class of parking lots to stalk me at? The hat is a nice touch. Excellent disguise, junior, very Gary Cooper.” Det. Hank Landgon said.
“Who? I’m not trying to be a creep. I just need to know ...
“How do you love?” De. Hank Langdon shouted to his partner, shaking a greasy brown paper bag.
Langdon smelt of onions and poor decisions. Tossing her daughter’s softball and feet on her desk, Det. Hen Ball raised an eyebrow. She needed to clear her head after the unsatisifying meeting with Superintendent Carrington. Ball had expected sword rattling from the new super. Flashy arrests won electons ...
Wet on wet
Pales to mediocre muddy gray
Too much light not enough shadow
Washing out the green veins, the hot pink blush
Failed sketches litter the studio like bruised petals
One more try
Hot press cotton block released with a sharp blade
Fine strokes proud as pistils
Kissed by a trail of fat water drops
from an errant 000 round
Blooming beautiful failures...
Broad, fenstrated leaves dripped moisture. Something green and spidery brushed Det. Hank Langdon’s cheek. Tripping over his partner Det. Hen Ball, he yelped in an unmanly fashion. Ball collided with a trio of surprisingly sharp snake plants. She cursed. During the pandemic her daughter collected a windowsill full of cacti. Ball wondered how much stress the Superintendent had to need this slice of ...
Chilled by drafts
Growing despite darkness
some lessons learned can only be taught by winter
Yearning for warm rains
Swaddling in July’s steam
some lessons can only be taught by winter
Tempered by short days
Weathering seemly endless months
Some lessons can only be taught by winter
New leaf unsheathed
in a tentative curve
Lessons learned...
If you ever awaken in a closed bookstore surrounded by slumbering stories, don’t be alarmed you’re only lost among stacks of dreams. Head for Mysteries & Thrillers. Avoid the pitfalls of the Romance section and the jug handles of History. If you stray into Nonfiction avert your eyes. Wander amidst the rows looking for breadcrumbs. Trust me they will be there.
Middle shelf, second from the floor...