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December 16, 2024
Poetry Minjzi

5 In The Morning

At once, both within and without that dazzling crowd. You go from one to the other. Predictable, tedious, careless people. Darkness, and only a blinding light right in your eyes - looking at you. Deafening music drowns and bites your twisted thoughts. Drinks…
December 16, 2024
Mystery Stories Marvel Chukwudi Pephel

I Professional Gamer

This is Betty, the voicemail said. I got your number from Jess. Why weren't you in school today? Everyone missed you. Sorry, I meant everyone missed your noise. Mr. Lagerback taught coding today. Hope you'd show up tomorrow. Or would what stopped you from…
December 16, 2024
Poetry Minjzi

Impression Of Delight

Let me enfold you, among the whispering of the night I say. It’s three in the morning, the end of December. She tensely rubs in and peels off her skin, sour from unease. With trembling steps, she runs from the puzzled reality. Knocks down all ruins and slumps…
December 16, 2024
Fantasy Stories Ocelotlzin

What Is Love

What is love? Anno Domini 934 King’s Aethelstan invasion. A forest at the north end of Scotland. “We need to be faster, let’s go to the woods and try to hide there.” Those were the words of Aedan to his family. The group of people were running from their…
December 16, 2024
Poetry Paweł Markiewicz

A Day From Life Of Klaus Werner Swamp-Man

The marvelous winter has come with the most tender Christmas Eve Klaus Werner Swamp-Man awaits dream august Moment is revealed Klaus a forester lives alone in a clear home amidst the grove In the evening praying by table he enjoyed freedom of silence Oracular…
December 16, 2024
Horror Stories Steven Bruce

The Package

The two men, dressed in hotel staff uniforms, stood before the lift in the quiet foyer. "You never ask," the older man said and thumbed the button. "But why?" the younger man said. "Listen, if you’re ever to take over from me, stop asking questions." "But…
December 16, 2024
Poetry Minjzi

All Is At Odds With Us

All is at odds with us. Doomed were the threads that tensely held the alliance of us. Amongst the wet gloomy walls, she was slowly walking. With each step further and further away from us. I used to call her Liu Lu. The elusive, unplausible, unpredictable Liu…
December 16, 2024
Flash Fiction Maxwell Bado

The Pebble And The Charlatan

When I was a boy, I used to walk through the woods with my father. One day, on an Autumn hike, my father entrusted me with a rock. It was small and square. A soft, reddish-brown, little stone. He placed the stone in my hand and said, “Hold on to this stone.…
November 25, 2024
Poetry Minjzi

Doomed Were The Threads

All is at odds with us. Doomed were the threads that tensely held the alliance of us. We are floating amongst the dreams and the past of us. Tranquillity of that fire will never arise. You thrive in the corners, in the inflows of me. Cut in in the slits, you…
November 25, 2024
Mystery Stories Marvel Chukwudi Pephel

This Way To The Berry Desideratum

"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library." – Jorge Luis Borges Earth, circa 2200. A tree wilts and dies, gradually, To the roots. A cormorant glides across the surface of a sea, Picking a dead stinking fish. Golden Duke Hemlocks are…
November 25, 2024
Poetry Minjzi

Vanished Possibilities

It’s crossing over you and drowning you into immensity. Wrapped, intertwined, buried with vanished possibilities. You stand alone on the road where sorrow lives. And remember, remember how to rescue yourself from the silhouette of the past, stuck in your…
November 25, 2024
Flash Fiction Syed Hassan Askari

I Am A free Man

The sun hung low in the sky, covered by the clouds, casting a dim, shadowy light against the crumbling walls of Ghulam Ali’s small house. He sat with his mother inside the prayer room, a prayer mat laid in front of him. The silence prevailed everywhere as he…

Dear Harold,

It was real good to see you the other night. Not many guys would have bought a girl pretzels on a first date. To me it was a real sign of you. Like a statement, I guess you would say.

Anyway, I think you should not be too embarrassed because your fly stuck open at the dance. I don't think people noticed. They looked at you and laughed because of that funny joke you told I am sure. I felt bad you had to explain it three times to those dummies at our table. But some folks just are not too swift you know.

Thank you too for your real sweet apology. I have to admit I have never danced with a man who sweat so much. And you are right. It was uncomfortable when it rolled down my shoulder. But a strapless dress is a risk and I do appreciate your concern.

You also don't have to worry about how the corsage got pinned. It didn't go too deep and the dress is washable. Cold water works wonders.

You are an unusual man, Harold. I have never known anyone like you before. I think sometimes people do not appreciate eccentricity for the gift that it is. Doing rumba moves to that waltz might be frowned on in some circles, but believe me it sets a person apart.

 

Also, I have to say I enjoyed the special effort you made to make the evening magic. I really did not mind changing the tire, so please don't worry about that. I know you couldn’t see that Don't-Back-Up sign because of how fogged up your glasses got.

Well, Harold, I'm running out of time. And of things to say. It's not often I do this with someone after only one date, believe me. When your hardware convention comes to town again, please look me up.

Your friend, Roseanne

 

Dear Harold,

It was nice of you to send me the can of mixed nuts and I only hope you’re not making some sort of statement about me and my friends. Knowing you, however, that is not likely so I guess it is just me. In any case, I should know by now that this is just right in keeping with the you of you, as my friend Swami Phil says.

I’m real sorry to hear that the tie I gave you got caught in the key making machine. I cannot believe people laughing at you about that, Harold. It is a shame they do not know you the way I do.

Did you like the box of chocolates I sent?

I look forward to your visit.

Hugs, Roseanne

 

 

Dear Harold,

Gosh, if I had known that your were allergic to macadamia nuts I would never have sent that particular can to you. Has the swelling gone down? Is the rash still there? People can be so cruel laughing because your scalp got bigger and the toupee wouldn’t fit right.

Well I must go.

Love, Roseanne.

 

Dear Harold,

When you don’t write I think it is because you are angry. And if you are not then you should say so.

I liked the camping trip although it upset me that you forgot the tent poles and that the branches poked a hole in the side. Telling me the warranty would cover the damage after it started to rain did not make me feel better.

I have always said you were different, Harold, and you are.

All the best,

Roseanne

 

Dear Harold,

It has been a long time since I have written, I know, but I have my reasons. Like I told you when I drove you that extra 100 miles to the airport because you could get a cheaper flight from there, that about did me in.

I’ve come to feel you’re taking advantage of me. Now it was nice of you to give me the canned ham at the airport and all, but as I told you before it’s against  my religion.

Sometimes it seems you don’t listen to a thing I say. I’m going to a doctor here, well a counselor, and she says every person in the world, how many ever that is, has a different way of looking at things. But I don’t think you understand that because thinking back I recall that when I say something mostly you say ‘ah ha’ and then keep on as if I said nothing. Which really is not the way it is supposed to be.

Thank you for the fruitcake. But, Harold, if you send presents you ought to examine the package. I found a note in it from your Aunt Mildred written three years ago saying Merry Christmas.

I’ve concluded that you are so different as to be weird, something some of my friends have said for a long time.

The truth is I am fed up. So goodbye.

Roseanne,

PS: I loved you

 

End

 

www.cambriacreations.com

THE CUSTER CONSPIRACY

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http://cigalelitmag.com/lorin-cary---silver-lining.html

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"Obsession" is in Torrid Literature Journal XII

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