Tag Archives: parent

CRYSTAL MOORE: One Sunday Afternoon

Artistic, Submissions, Touching, , , ,

Dad, how many times have I let you down? The question goes unasked as I stand near you. No need for an answer. I know you’ve forgiven me.

Today, I bury the past. I’ve let you down for the last time.

I thank the funeral director for letting me help.

Crystal Moore doesn’t like to reveal much about herself, which is why she won’t be found working the pole at a strip club. However, she can be found dividing her time between the realm of her imagination and North Carolina’s Coastal Plain region. Her publication credits include humorous greeting card copy, children’s short stories, and flash fiction.

DEANNA MORRIS: Mother / Clothing Designer

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

It must have been hard on you, Mother, when I grew
long and lanky and all legs, my waist no longer waif-like.
Gone was your living doll to dress and display, your frilly
designs now silly on gangly me. Such a cruel trick
my thickening, adolescent body played on you.

Deanna Morris is an MFA graduate of Butler University with multiple publishing credits.

MJ MARGGRAFF: Infinite Orbit

Artistic, Poetry, Submissions, Touching, , , ,

An astronaut floats in a universe of untouchable splendor
as blue green auroras dance and flicker.
Pinwheels of clouds turn slowly
above an uncommon earth,
where fall leaves surrender gently to laws of gravity
and tides roll with thunder.

Thrusters to return still won’t fire.

Her son turns six tomorrow.

MJ is an aviator, author, and speaker on ways risk and fear can work to our advantage to dream and explore. She is preparing for suborbital space flight.

ALISON V KING: Old Hands

Submissions, Touching, , , , ,

September raged outside, violent bursts of russet and gold. Her tiny hand made a fist around my finger. “We’re in this together,” she said without words.

Different hospital. Different decade. The ache is deep and I am sinking. Papery fingers entwined. “We’re in this together,” she says without words.

Always.

Alison has been writing since she was old enough to hold a pen. Her first story was a horrible island romance scribbled at the tender age of eight. She has recently been featured in Firewords Quarterly and Journeyman Magazine and hopes to one day remain seated long enough to produce a novel.

AUBREY LLOYD: The Cruise

Amusing, Submissions, , , , , ,

James opened the cabin door and let it slam behind him.

“What’s the matter, dear?”

“People need to leave their kids at home when they go on a cruise. Swimming in the pool was impossible!”

“You better learn more patience with children; we’ll have two little ones in six months…”

Aubrey is an idealist with a fondness for writing, and all things culture. She sporadically has vivid dreams about her unpublished books being on the New York Times best sellers list.

Motivation

Touching, , , , , , ,

She literally stood on her head trying to impress Dad enough for one sincere compliment.

But he just smiled and said she was “gym-nasty,” so she jumped off the balance beam and tackled him and they both laughed, and he still didn’t seem to understand why she practiced so hard.

Squeezy Huggables

Amusing, , , ,

“Ooh, it says it’s recommended by four-of-five early childhood educators!” said the young mother, hefting a brightly decorated box. “Two for the kids, then?”

“Why?” grunted her husband, eyeing the Squeezy Huggables Parental Affection Replacement Device suspiciously.

“Between this and a nanny, we wouldn’t have to touch them at all!”

The Luxuriant Life

Amusing, Touching, , , , , , , ,

“Finally!” complained Fluffy the cat in the softly exasperated voice of a young mother. “The kittens are down for nap time. All they ever do is eat, sleep, and whine!”

Mittens, her husband, mewed appreciatively. “What should we do with our free time?”

“Grab a snack and get some shuteye.”