MICHELLE DINNICK: Are You Superstitious?

Amusing, Submissions, ,

I knew this guy once who said you should never give a watch to anyone you care about. “Because your relationship will have a time limit.”

I thought nothing of it.

Since then, however, I have given watches to several people that I no longer want to know.

It works.

Michelle is an award-winning author and poet. She is a contributor in the most recent Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of Canada, and a quarter finalist in the 2017 ScreenCraft Short Screenplay contest. Her writing has appeared in The Globe and Mail (one of Canada’s National newspapers) and a number of local magazines and newspapers including The Briar Crier, Total Sports, Voice of the Farmer, Arts Talk and Focus 50 Plus. Her short story “Lightning Strikers” (also featured on Commuter Lit) was made into a series in the Focus 50 + Newspaper because fans asked for more! This year, Michelle won the Ontario Writers Conference Story Starter Contest in two categories. You can find her online at commuterlit.com, fiftywordstories.com, femininecollective.com, michelledinnick.com, and @MichelleDinnick.

MICHAEL BORNE: The Immigrant

Artistic, Submissions, Touching, , , ,

An ancient sepia-tone photograph:

She stood motionless on the jetty, her back to the camera, staring at Liberty’s statue and a hazy Manhattan skyline. Middle-aged, in bundled clothing, her right palm to her face, in awe and bewilderment of all she beheld.

Exhausted, alone, and hopeful in a new world.

Michael Borne is a professional architect and an amateur watercolor artist.

MARK FARLEY: Opposite Man

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

Contrary Carl is the world’s most annoying housemate.
He opens the closets,
stands in the sitting room,
works in the playroom,
plays in the workshop,
parks on the driveway,
wears shorts in the pantry,
and keeps his mistress in the master bedroom.
So I locked him in the living room.

Mark Farley writes novels, flash fiction, and the occasional poem. See more at mumbletoes.blogspot.com.

ANDREA ALLISON: Left You a Note

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

He found the note taped on his refrigerator.

Hey,

I’m leaving this note to inform you I’ve stolen your soul for a scavenger hunt. I don’t believe you’ll find this news troubling, seeing as you weren’t using it anyways. Send inquiries to Hell if you want it back.

Sincerely,

Death

Andrea Allison currently writes and resides in a small Oklahoman town. You can follow her on Twitter at @sthrnwriter.

ROBB LANUM: Karen’s Stories

Amusing, Submissions, ,

Karen never told her fans what her stories were about; their interpretations were more interesting.

Some saw the salvation of sex. Others a search for God. One reader in Australia insisted Karen was a psychic channeling his own unrequited longings.

Karen knew they were really about her best friend’s husband.

Robb Lanum is a failed screenwriter in Los Angeles. Some of his longer-form, epic works have appeared on 101words.org.

BILL COX: Return of the Ancient Astronauts

Adventure, Submissions, , ,

On gravitational waves, the primal gods sailed through the interstellar gulf. Their destination: a blue-green world where once they’d lived as kings, exalted by the apes they had uplifted. Memories of Atlantis, Giza and Nazca filled their minds.

The Masters of Earth were returning; let the children submit once more.

Bill lives in Aberdeen, Scotland. He spends his spare time working on his time machine, determined to fulfil his ambition of one day becoming his own father. His mother is adamant that it’s not going to happen. Family meals are currently quite awkward. See more at northeastnotesblog.wordpress.com.

GERALDINE McCARTHY: Keyboard Warrior

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

Seventy Facebook notifications. A quiet night.

Cervical smear scandal, presidential election, granny grant: Sasha sits in bed, checks the ‘likes’, scrolls through the comments. Trolls out in force.
Putting on her helmet, she types like her life depends on it.

A wail.
“Shush! Not now!”
Switches off the baby monitor.

You can connect with Geraldine at facebook.com/cruthaitheacht.

JOEY TO: It

Artistic, Submissions, , , , , ,

The child always held It.

It had big eyes, long teeth, and a tail. To most, It was a monster.
But It was soft. And It never ran away, keeping her warm through cold nights.

As she grew, the nights became colder, longer. And she held It to the end.

Joey doesn’t collect plushies although he doesn’t mind them either, as long as it’s not a bear. Because bear plushies are lame. See more at joeytoey.com.

MATTHEW EICHENLAUB: God Bless America

Artistic, Poetry, Submissions, ,

When your name was
bantered about our kitchen table,
I was too young to understand.

Now you are back
like a ghost from Salem,
mocking the innocent,
burning them at the stake
in the halls of power.

I’m old now, but understand.
Wake up Joseph McCarthy,
you will lose again.

Matthew lives in Maine.