Category: 400 Words

CONTENT WARNING: Miscarriage I’ve been listening to the grownups telling tales through the wall from my cousin pile in the den. They throw us in here when they are tired of us and call it bedtime.  We share blankets and pillows and tales of our own. We talk about the cookies we snuck when no… Read more

We gathered around the wooden grey picnic table that had always sat to the right of the back stoop. The sun was still up for a little longer which made it warmer out here than in the house where the electricity had died without rhyme or reason. It was too dark to read, too cold… Read more

“Travel back to the last time when you loved life and it loved you back.” One woman says “Today. I woke up breathing in crisp air through the open window while I wiggled my toes under warm covers. While my husband brewed our daily coffee and brought the steaming mug to me in bed to… Read more

She holds one finger out to the air to feel all that is held in nothingness. It Is cold after having been tucked away in her mittens.  She stands still as a statue with the evening sun weaving into her hair.  Each strand a a glowing spell that radiates around her.  A flock of birds caws loudly… Read more

In a moment, I stop understanding words.  There’s an ache in my gut a rattle in my veins. Am I here? Where did I go? How do I get back? Play it cool.   “Where’s  the bathroom? I’ll be right back” I say as naturally as I can.  I unloop the heels of my boots from the bottom… Read more

The Renaissance Festival of my brain has dusty paths between market stalls with battered green awnings. There’s no historically-accurate costumed guests brightening up the venue with their gaiety. No merchants, no children entranced by jugglers, no double-fisting drumstick wielders can sneak in and delight me. In a maze of loneliness, I find the stalls from… Read more

I lift my arms into T shape. I bend to the right, center, left, right again. Pain creeps through my shoulders and sets my neck on fire. My arms drop in failure. I try again.  My wings rise dramatically this time. They are not aflame like the Phoenix. They burn but they cannot fly.  If I… Read more