The wind is a feral animal tonight,moaning, circling, lashing out –random acts of violence in our midst. The little lights on the front porchrock about maniacally, glittering against the glass,a ghostly mirror ball inviting us to danceto the wind chimes chilling melody. The dog barks incessantly,issuing stern warnings to the invisible intruder.Perhaps she is tellingContinue reading “Wind”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Your Former Self Calling
Empty out the past.Hold fast to tangible things. Give up the ghoststhat haunt these silent rooms. Give up your reasonsfor not turning back toward that distant landof high hopes and deserted dreams. Easy to say, it’s true,never so easy to do, and this is why I’m calling you.“Wake up, wake up! Begin again.”
We Push It Down
We push it downto drown the soundof that seductive(if not slightly unhinged)inner voice, inviting us to jump the railsinto a deliciously wild country.Yes, we push it, push it, pack it down,this is how we move aroundthe world in a straight line,gain respect, becomeupstanding citizens,obedient animals in the field,when sometimes all we really wantis to dropContinue reading “We Push It Down”
Regarding Grandpa
Grandpa claimed to be a time travelerin the first paragraphof the last book he ever wrote.The marked-up manuscriptlabeled memoir on the title page,was thick, musty, and terribly heavy. Later, we snuck into his abandoned study once more,searching for clues to corroborate his claim,but all we found was a rusty pocket watchand a peculiar pair ofContinue reading “Regarding Grandpa”
Last Day At The Fair
Thinking of a day at the fair,some closing Sunday years ago,late August heaving its last steamy breaths,farm animals being led away from their tents,some by children not a quarter of their size, and how that reminded me of a bible verse I’d once been taught but could no longer recall. I remember loud crackly voicesContinue reading “Last Day At The Fair”
Something
Something strange in the air.Something dangerous. Something close.Something beckoning you outinto the warm summer nightwith bare feet and unruly hair.But then, under the motion lights, nothing’s there.Nothing that can be seen.Nothing that can be shouted ator scared off with bluff or bluster.There are only the crickets, your own rapid breathing,and a strange, uneasy feelingthat followsContinue reading “Something”
Anchor
Coffee rings, papers,notebooks and pens,this old disheveled desk,welcoming again, an anchor, if not quite a friend.A rainy afternoon flows by.
Blackout
A blackout one summerleft us without powerfor nearly three days.No street lights.No lamps.No television.The house grew oppressivewithout fans or air conditioning.Our town suddenly becamean eerie, ominous place.Something about it felt unsafe.Wrong.What if we were being lied to?What if we were being attacked,invaded, or worse?I was just a stupid kid, my imaginationan untamed tiger. I rememberContinue reading “Blackout”
Of An Old Photo
Some other place and time, one long gone summer smoldered to ash,yet here she is,back to the camera, eyes to the horizon,a drift of wind catching her hair,little lake swells cresting beneath her toes –a day in the sun still just begun.
Knowing
Just as you know that the sweet soul in the bathrobe standing over your shoulder will still love you even after your toast crumbs have fallenall over her clean kitchen floor,there will come a daywhen you will pull yourself upout of this dark funk,straighten your posture,lift your head to the sun,and return every little mercythatContinue reading “Knowing”
Where You’ve Been
Where you’ve been is where you are still, and it’s been so long since you got here.Too long to bullshit yourself,much less anyone else,into believing anything you say anymore.Too long to win back all that you’ve lost.Too long to remain quiet.Too long to shout.Too long to crawl out unscathed on your own.Too long to forgetContinue reading “Where You’ve Been”
What The Wind Said
Collect yourself.Leave everything elseas it is.Don another layer.Lock the door behind you.Pull up your collar.Stiffen your shoulders.Keep your head straight.Keep your eyes on the road.Don’t lose sight.Go with or against the flowdepending upon what truth you know.Protect your breath.Find something to hold onto.Don’t get swept awayby the whirlwind of today.
Haunted Avenues 