About FlashJ

I was born a small grey alien on the south side of the Kanawha Valley to a Coal Miner's daughter and the son of a son of a sailor.

Best Effort

The family paraded past my latest offering one by one: “Her eyes are grey like mine.” said Mother Sky. “Her hair soft and flowing like my lightest touch.” said Mother Wind. “And her shape is all hills and valleys, akin … Continue reading

earthborn no longer

Original version: Sara rushed into the room, the early spring sun highlighting her form like a Christmas ghost. I could see the excitement in her face and her posture. And the wings, I could see the wings they had given … Continue reading

Day 3: “New Cumberland, W. Va”

“W——’s enthusiasm for botany frequently takes us ashore. Landing at the foot of some eroded steep which, with ragged charm, rises sharply from the gravelly beach, we fasten Pilgrim’s painter to a stone, and go scrambling over the hillside in … Continue reading

How it went down

I think it went something like this: Dave! Dave! Dave! What? Dave! this is important Dave! Shut listen! Are you listening Dave? Not you Chuck, go back to sleep! Dave Dave Davey David! Yes I’m listening Rich go ahead please. … Continue reading

a glimpse of long ago

I’m watching the evening settle in around the treehouse I built today. There’s no squirrels this evening, just a few late cicadas and a bird or two. Frogs join the chorus as the shadows lengthen under the trees. I have all the … Continue reading

quiet coach

I’m sitting here on the morning train and it is surprisingly quiet. So much so that other than the hum of the train on the rails there’s not much background noise to block out conversation. So when someone picks up their … Continue reading

I hear arguments

I hear arguments “I didn’t move the fridge, who would do that?” “It doesn’t match the countertop, it must have been moved!” “It never matched the countertop, its white and the countertop is grey.” “Bloody Hell woman! I mean its … Continue reading