astronomical dawn

Astronomical dawn, what’s that timer you have on? Could it be to see the bright planets in the sky? And did I hear you say there’s a meteor storm today? and to take you to a dark spot with some … Continue reading

This came in as spam today

“How embarrassing. The continuation of our species matters more than you can imagine. It is the single most important thing we can do. Sounds good to me, I said. I didn’t have to say: can we change the meeting from … Continue reading

Belting moment on the train

A woman boarded my train at the last minute and began to sort thru all the shopping she had with her before sitting down. She moved half the contents of one bag into the other and we all got a good … Continue reading

Mitzi Jervis: See-er of Ghosts

This morning I asked Mitzi a question about ghosts. She was sunning herself on the back of the sofa but I knew she was listening. “I’m working on a short story involving a ghost you see, and I’m having trouble deciding … Continue reading

100 word story: On Thursdays I walk the Strand

It is different today, and yet it is not. Little changes are made noticeable by the memory of the sameness. A new ramp made of asphalt, a fountain where there were only buskers. The drawings on Trafalgar Square’s stony space … Continue reading

100 word story: hard-nosed hybrid

I was in line for the coffee truck yesterday and the women in front of me were commenting on the nearby cars. The closest car was a grey and silver hybrid with a jutting front end and shark’s fin aerial. … Continue reading

darkness travels with me

As dawn comes later each day I’m further along my journey to London before I leave the dark behind and the day begins. One day it’s Grately, a few days later it’s Andover before the gray gives way to light. Later … Continue reading

Portside out, starboard home

I noticed on the train home today that on the right side you could see dark gray clouds and impending rain but in the left side of the coach the sky was full of high fluffy clouds and the sun … Continue reading

Laundry Day, 1936

I found this shilling near a clothes line. I am humbled to think that people have hung their laundry between those same two trees for nearly four generations. That’s real permanence. Great-great-grandma didn’t check the pockets closely one day and … Continue reading

Mitzi the alien

I eventually found the alien lying outside on the concrete driveway. How she finds that comfortable I’ll never know. She didn’t let my presence stop her from sitting on the bin and staring off into space. I guess if you’re an … Continue reading