Yet still…

Another day of Pagan rituals blended
with evangelical fervor
we squint through the twilight
morning, standing damp-footed
in dewy, cemetery grass
for yet another sunrise service

I bow my all to Easter

Relatives and once-a-year attenders
drawn by the scorn of a long
gone grandma or some family curse,
now days called expectations,
arrive at church

I bow my all to Easter

Brunch in the basement
between services for
egg and bread casserole
hastily made the night before
with fruit and dry ham, barely warm

I bow my all to Easter

Overflowing sanctuary
new bright colored dresses
and enough ladies hats to force
even the most polite teenage boys
to smirk and jab their friends

I bow my all to Easter

Similar sermon with
a “zippy” new title, louder
does not make it different
or better, there is one
Easter story, get over it

I bow my all to Easter

“He is risen.” “He is risen indeed!”
some shout, others mumble
the silent few, hope not to be noticed
their obligation is clear
attendance “yes,” participation “no”

I bow my all to Easter

Families, friends gather for dinner
kids search for quickly hidden eggs
a few may not be found ‘til July 4
too much food and obvious table talk
candy, pictures and goodbyes

I bow my all to Easter

Cars chase dusk, disappear around the corner
a messy house, colored egg shells,
shiny foil wrappers, flimsy colored plastic grass
dishes to wash, leftovers to organize,
should have sent more with the others

Yet still, I bow my all to Easter

If words were…

If words were silent…
Would I notice,
Or even care?
Would their hush
Indicate absence and
Chew within until
I try to scream
Only to feel hollow
Breath fill space I
Cannot identify?

If words were silent…
Would I have thoughts,
Ideas, hopes?
Would anger boil
yet never ignite?
Would love die for
Lack of closure?
Would my wanting to tell you
Be reduced to vague motions,
Quickly misunderstood?

If words were silent…
Would there be an
Inner me? A psyche, a spirit,
An essence or a soul?
Something within to perk
Forth daily life?
Would I know that you
would know me?
And would you know that
I know you? Or even care?

Watching Luis

Luis was a sub-par pitcher but the luck of being left-handed kept him in the bigs. He had retired twenty-six batters. Some swinging, some watching, three pitches each. No bat touched the ball. All walked away, none argued a call. The crowd had begun to wonder if this might be the first true perfect game in baseball history. The twenty-seventh batter waited behind 0-2. Luis's heart raced between giddiness and terror. The sun and sweat mixed to burn his eyes. He released the ball early. It hung briefly before disappearing in the catcher's glove. The crowd froze awaiting the umpire's call.

The end

Long weekend at the parent's with that damn dial-up. Really, ridiculous. Should call it slogging-on.

Finally. "Friends" count 327. I scroll, very slowly, through the list: high school, high school, old girl friend, college, soccer, cousin, college, high school, Sarah's mom, high school, teacher, summer job, who's that?, roommate, high school...

Status update: "What are you doing now?" Wouldn't you like to know? "Thanks for nothing." That should give them something to talk about tomorrow, maybe for a while. Hit post.

Push my sleeve. Grip the blade, take a deep breath and begin the ending.

Hunting

Daddy'd wake me early. it'd be dark, quiet, cold and rainy outside. I'd carry my rifle and hurry to keep up. We'd share cold biscuits. 'bout the time we got to his meadow spot the sun would be showing it's morning face, helping warm me up. We'd hide, silent, waiting. My shooting was more likely to scare things off than kill them. But, Momma was so proud days we'd bring home something I'd shot.

Now, damp and cold, I hold my rifle and wait for a stray Yank. If I get one my Momma and Captain will be so proud.

fiction 101

A while back the "Bellingham Weekly" ran an annual "Fiction 101" contest. The idea was to write a story using 101 words or less (title does not count). I was hooked, writing "101" stories off and on since then. i am going to begin posting some of my stories tonight. hope you enjoy them.

I found my soul...

I found my soul...
Either the day after I
Cured cancer or the one
Before I put an end to war
I'm not sure which

I found my soul...
Or maybe not
Didn't know it was lost
Did somebody take it?
What am I supposed to do with it?

I found my soul...
When the needle hit the
Vinyl, It wasn't sound or music
It was life boring deep within
I had to listen again

I found my soul...
Do you want to see it?
It's somewhere around here
Wonder if it looks like yours
Oh yeah, here it is

I found my soul...
It's different than I remember
But nice to have it back
After being apart so long
I think I'll try to hold on to it

I found my soul...
The infomercial promised
Three easy payments and they'd
Ship it overnight, UPS, maybe FedEx
Who could resist?