Posts Tagged ‘Guest Contributor’
Aug
Good Boy, Charlie
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Even the dog knew it was a mistake. So much had happened at the lake house, and yet, nothing ever changed. Her father stood at the end of the dock, slouching.
Charlie whined and wagged, as if to say, “Really? Again?!”
“Didn’t think you’d come,” he said.
“I just want her ashes. Then I’ll leave.”
He stared, eyes piercing, his face sharp.
“Your mother wanted to be here.”
“My mother wanted to be safe.”
Jayne released Charlie from his leash. He burst forward, sending her father off the dock.
“Good boy,” Jayne praised Charlie, wiping the water from her face.
From Guest Contributor Kate McGovern
Aug
Altered Realms Of Reality
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
The adventure of a quantum man. I used to be much larger. I used to live on Sagittarius. Doubt me? I doubt myself these days.
There on some parallel realm, the US used Celsius and to have a temperature meant you were 100 C. Makes me wonder if fat suits are just avatars from someplace else stuck in a heated environment. To live for years at 73 constant without snow. Now to have snow and live at 1 C. Makes me question my sanity these days. Do I remember correctly or am I just caught up in some grand adventure?
From Guest Contributor Clinton Siegle
Aug
The Accountant
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Moana sat beside me to tell me all about her day. She tells me of how receipts are paid, how invoices are filled; the tedious swirl of records she manages and the way liabilities must be listed.
I listen to her speak, and the turkey on the table soon grows cold. Her eyes catch mine, and for a minute she hesitates.
“Don’t you dare stop,” I say before she could raise the question.
I have a Master’s in Accounting, and yet somehow I could listen to her speak about it all all over again, and still fall hopelessly in love.
From Guest Contributor Mahathi Sathish
Aug
Heater
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
“Would you like another heater, Ralph?”
Madge, the waitress, offered to add some hot coffee to Ralph’s half-empty cup on the diner’s linoleum counter. Behind her, racked, were the assorted pies, the lemon meringue with only two slices left.
“I’ll take some.” Ralph half-smiled. “I guess that’s like you, Madge.”
“What’d you mean?
“You like your coffee hot, and your men hotter.”
Bracing herself on the counter, Madge stared at him. Would Al leave anything more than a 10% tip? What were the chances?
“I guess we’re a little different. You go for the lukewarm guys, don’t you, Al?”
From Guest Contributor David Sydney
Aug
Gone Fishing
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
The fish hook didn’t stir in the stillness of the water.
There’s a dark, ominous look in the sky. Not the sunny, warm weather the forecasters predicted.
The shore wasn’t far, so I stayed on course and waited. I wished I had something to drink. The air was humid, and my lips quenched water.
In the tiny row boat, I felt lonely, especially since no one else was on the lake and my only companions were the birds chirping in the trees.
A bolt of lightning filled the sky, followed by claps of thunder.
Then the downpour.
No fish today.
From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher
Aug
Watching Grass Grow
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Willow loved the flowers.
Yellow lilies sprouted from breaks in old, torn tree bark. Hydrangeas shot up from the ground so beautifully. Willow waited with anticipation and baited breath as grass grew. She watched every moment of it. As tiny white tips sprouted from the dirt, oh joy of joys, the beginning was so exciting! Then, the tiny blades raised up to the sun, and Willow screamed with excitement. She couldn’t contain her joy. She watched impatiently as the leaves turned from green, to yellow, to orange, then brown. The moss grew over Willow’s feet. Oh, to be a tree.
From Guest Contributor Eliana Diaz
Eliana is an English literature and visual art major at UCCS. She is a feature artist in the 50th edition of Riverrun. She is a large fan of mythology, fantasy, and other make-believe.
Jul
The Coming Thermonuclear War
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Considering the current tensions, I implore you to prioritize diplomacy, de-escalation, and dialogue. By honoring these treaties and respecting international agreements, we can work towards sustainable peace.
That Europe is pushing for war with Russia. That in 2017 Russia informed NATO it will use thermonuclear war if invaded or if Ukraine is invaded by NATO means an ending of humanity. That deagel.com posted in 2017 that according to Government records the US should expect to lose 224 million people by 2024-2025 means an ending of reality.
I ask you to pray for peace.
For death via thermonuclear war is horrifying.
From Guest Contributor Clinton Siegle
Jul
Accompaniment
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Almost every morning
it’s the same old ambient toss-up:
Susumu Yokota or Lazybatusu.
Some days, neither flips his switch;
some days: nothing but nothing. Silence.
(He neither needs nor wants either one.)
Some days—especially days he’s up early—
he just sits and types, humming his own theme:
he calls it Lazysusubatsumu Yakotoma.
He hums and writes and writes again
until everything comes out right,
or his fingers start to bleed.
Even then, though,
intent on his mission
he encourages the hemorrhage.
He’s stumbled onto something good;
he’s just got to keep at it
until it sings on its own.
From Guest Contributor Ron. Lavalette
Ron.’s debut chapbook, Fallen Away (Finishing Line Press) is now available at all standard outlets. Many of his published works can be found at EGGS OVER TOKYO.
Jul
The Postcard’s Promise
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
As Harland dug through the ruins, he found a hidden and weathered desk. On it, an old postcard displayed a faded, scenic landscape. Flipping it over, he read delicate handwritten words:
“Dear Wanderer,
May this postcard be your journey’s memento, reminding you of wonders witnessed and truths sought. Let it inspire your quest for knowledge and enlightenment. With each step, the world and you transform. Embrace the magic within, letting it guide your path. Uncover the mysteries. Remember, great adventures start unexpectedly.
Safe travels,
A fellow explorer.”
Harland cherished the postcard as a symbol of inspiration and continued his exploration.
From Guest Contributor J. Iner Souster
Jul
Resistance
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
The bomb exploded and debris collapsed all around. Covered in dust and choking from dryness, I ran to the alley. A sharp pain in my leg, I realized I had a large gash. I tore the sleeve of my shirt and wrapped my leg to stop the bleeding. With the gestapo in the area and people screaming, I stayed put.
After hours of cramped space and agonizing discomfort, I got up from the ground and limped to the safe house where my team awaited.
The resistance would be pleased with my finding and hopefully the allies would be here soon.
From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher