January 2011
6 posts
The Cherry Blossom Tree
. I saw Keats on the street today, furiously scribbling below the cherry blossom tree, the very one that I have attempted to describe in words for so many years, and for so many years failed so miserably. I have never had the luxury of language afforded the romantic poets, for my blood lies in the mud of the working class and the last century; but whenever I pass by the cherry blossom tree, I cant...
Jan 31st
cormac
. Made up of equal parts disappointment and wishful thinking, the first sentence, consisting of seventy eight words and two commas, stared back at me without blinking. I read it a second time.   The opening paragraph - so well written, so perfect, so humbling - gave rise to the question: Should I continue reading,  knowing that if the rest of  the book is half as good, I may never...
Jan 22nd
The man in the corner who never said a word
. In his top hat and collapsing chin, the English professor, who had spent the last twenty minutes arguing with whoever was listening, shook the last drop of single malt onto his cantankerous tongue, wiggled a finger at the bartender with his other hand, before putting the glass down and continuing. ‘A word, when left alone, can say all that is needed to be said! Simply put, words such as yes, ...
Jan 21st
The Frosty Gardener
. There’s a man outside my window mowing snow. Like I’m crazy. So, I yell ‘Hey! Can you come and mow my swimming pool when you’re done?’ and he says ‘No fool no! Mow your own damn pool!’
Jan 19th
the finished symphony
. He completed her sentences; she started his. He loved her to pieces; she loved him to bits.
Jan 17th
silk
. To spite last night: the light of day and with the mist of morning still lifting, a used-shirt climbs into an old suit, wrapped in a burgundy two-tone tie; gold tipped socks, with a hole in one of the toes, slide into scuffed shoes - the heels worn down to the point where they will be noticeable soon. In the mirror, an eye drop pauses, loosens it’s grip and runs down his cheek onto his...
Jan 6th