The old man had bad dreams. Horrible images ran through his head as he laid there in bed next to his wife. He heard the refrigerator humming down the hallway. Sounded like a train chasing him through town. A locomotive building up steam and following him. Coming close to running over him on the steel […]

His chest drooped. Belly was round, stuck out like a bowling ball. Legs were sticks. The old man was getting older everyday. Closer and closer to the other side. Soon his days would be finished. Done. Like a theif in the night. He’d be gone. He said he had faith. Was baptized as a kid. […]

Black rooftops taking in sunlight Shadows of trees Grass is high Dandelions blown in the wind Weeds stand tall. A bird sings Sounds of lawnmowers fade in and out. Shredding dead leaves of winter. Patio parties with gin cocktails A lime in every glass Talk of vacations Weekend trips Smells of charcoal and burnt marshmallows. […]

He’s hiding. Could be anywhere. Behind the couch? Maybe there in the closet. Could’ve gone outside. Dashed behind a tree. Perhaps in a cave. Might’ve driven off into the night. He was always threatening to do so. Always. The old man poured himself another cup of coffee. There was no creamer in the house. Who […]

Standing in the rain looking in. The windows have flowered curtains drawn back making a perfect view. Bowls are passed. Meat is cut. Mom and dad sit at the ends of the table. Kids drinking milk; a boy and a girl. She has pony tails and he’s wearing a Speed Racer tee-shirt. Dad has loosened […]

Chicago. Chicago. You’re a bum wearing a newspaper in the rain. Looking. Watching. Old men walk down Michigan Avenue and stare at their feet. Nothing moves swiftly anymore. Trains rattle above. The sky is lit in reds and blues and yellows too. All this time, wondering when it’s going to fall. Jewels behind bars. Fake […]

He’d lay there in bed with just the night light on. A blue glow coming from a wall. Falling asleep off and on while she laid next to him. She had plugs jammed in her ears. At times he would snore, talk loudly in his slumber. She tuned him out. No noise. Just dreams filled […]

I watched her today on the swingset. A woman going high in the air. Sand underneath her. Blonde hair blown in the wind. She flew solo. Looking at her, I wondered what her game was? Why was she by herself ? Did she have a man at home cutting grass or tinkering with a car […]

Barrels of Kentucky Fried Chicken were all over the trailer. Red and white containers lined up on the coffee table, the kitchen counters, and on the floor in the bedroom. Some filled with extra crispy and others original recipe. Some just had a mix of both. The old man sat on the couch eating a […]

Momma told him she was proud. Said she didn’t care if he dug ditches. Said he’d be the best at it. Told him not to listen to people. Folks get jealous. Real angry when they think you got it better than them. That’s what she said. Some would call us white trash, she lit a […]