BOB THURBER: The Cat Lady

Amusing, Submissions, Touching, ,

Mom locked grandma up after the landlord found stacks of newspapers, books and miscellaneous junk, floor to ceiling in every room. Diagnosis: Hoarder disorder.

But in truth, she was a Cat Herder, a proud breeder of kittens, and those walls were the pens, corrals and stalls of Grandma’s Kitten Ranch.

Over the years Bob Thurber’s work has received a long list of awards and prizes. His most recent book is a collection of brief stories titled “Nothing But Trouble.” His first novel, “Paperboy: A Dysfunctional Novel,” was recently rereleased. Visit BobThurber.net.

BILL COX: Self-Harm

Adventure, Odd, Submissions, , , ,

A body on the floor, warm blood drip, drip, dripping onto the carpet.

He has my face. My beautiful young face.

I was going to set things right. That’s what the time machine was for. But he wouldn’t listen and I got angry.

I always was my own worst enemy.

Bill lives in Aberdeen, Scotland where, in between the odd piece of writing, he plots the downfall of humanity on behalf of his Martian overlords.

GORDON LYSEN: The Games We Play

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

“It’s time to go,” she said.

“In a sec,” I called back.

“No! Right now!” she said, even louder, with more than a hint of annoyance.

“Okay, okay!” I screamed back.

The door slammed and I knew it was too late.

I turned back to level two of Panda Pops.

Gordon Lysen is enjoying his retirement, filling his days with painting, carving, writing, and the occasional game of Panda Pop.

DENNY E MARSHALL: Try Again, Lieutenant

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

“Thought we destroyed them years ago and they were all dead,” said Caption Savoy.

“It killed the dinosaurs but not all life forms, sir,” replied Lt. Flit Duson.

“No big deal, Flit. Send another meteorite, a larger one this time. That should take care of it,” said Captain Savoy.

Denny E. Marshall has had art, poetry, and fiction published, including fiction at The Stray Branch Spring 2017. See more at dennymarshall.com.

LINDA POINDEXTER: Aaaaaaah!

Adventure, Amusing, Poetry, Submissions, , , , , ,

The stage was set against a spectacular backdrop. The supporting character, a slick, mossy, camouflaged rock, stood ready.

I played the lead perfectly, delivering my agonized one-word line with no hesitation. It was over quickly.

Alas: sweet death and the mountain had made me the star of my own tragedy.

Linda writes quotes, songs, poetry and short stories and is enjoying the challenge of writing 50 word stories. Among her wishes is to never star in her own tragedy.

KURT BREEDE: Morning Coffee

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

Warren staggered out onto the porch, coffee in hand. As he lifted the mug to his lips, their eyes locked together. She examined him stoically from across the street.

Then, like a yogic guru, she lifted her leg—and licked her butt. Hot coffee spewed from his nostrils.

Stupid cats.

Kurt is a screenwriter based in Toronto, Canada.

MARY SHEEHAN: Messages

Artistic, Odd, Submissions, ,

She loved the beach.

Yesterday I found sand in my shoes.
Today, flecks of seaweed clinging to my clothes.
Now the scent of her coconut tanning lotion traces the air.

I haven’t gone to the beach in the year since she drowned.

I wonder what she’s trying to tell me.

Mary lives on the coast in the south-east of Ireland, where the sea has a habit of seeping into her writing.

TODD CRAWFORD: For Judy

Artistic, Poetry, Submissions, , , , ,

I don’t know why the starry sky
I cannot see how the river carves its way all the way to the ocean
I can only dream where songbirds go to die
I don’t know why
or how, left to its own
a salmon spawning upstream
swims hundreds of miles—home.

Todd is an amateur writer and poet. He met the love of his life in a college writing class. Since then, the two have spent their lives together.

MELANIE CRANENBURGH: Departure

Submissions, Touching, , , ,

My heart pounding in my chest, I watched as you lay on the white linen, still and silent. The fan’s breeze fluttered your hair and eyelashes. You looked cool, reposed, as though sleeping. I squeezed your hand and whispered for you to open your eyes, once more.

But you didn’t.

Melanie Cranenburgh lives in Western Australia and rescues wildlife in her spare time.