A couple with full sleeve tats, neon hair, chains, and studs passed me in the housewares aisle.
“Look at the cute butterflies on this plate,” she said.
“I wrote an essay on butterflies in prison,” he said. “Did you know they migrate to Mexico?”
“Butterflies are free,” she said.
Sarah Russell writes short stuff — mostly poetry and flash. There’s more like “Overheard…” at SarahRussellPoetry.net.
I like this very much. I love the strange juxtapositions and the kicker ending making the reader compare life as a butterfly to life in prison.
Like I told Marco, the strange justaposition and kicker where all there in the housewares aisle. Serendipity. Thanks for commenting, David.
As a person who writes and sometimes teaches incarcerated students, I felt newly inspired by this touching story. Thank you!
Thanks, Marco, I acted as a reporter for this one. All I did was write down what happened. That doesn’t occur very often. I’m glad the story gave you some inspiration.
So much wonderful stuff packed in this little story! Love it!
Thanks, Kath.
Had me entranced from beginning to that lovely, multi-resonance ending!