Growing Bolder Community

I awaken, startled. It’s the middle of the night. How do I excise your specter? It is everywhere; in crowds, hailing taxis, rounding corners and now, tonight, in my dreams. When will my heart let go of you and grant me some respite? I know I should despise you for your long-term deceit but that’s impossible for me. Though I feel wildly...

Lonely cries of seagulls pierce the morning mist as the sun begins its lazy ascent over the calm ocean’s horizon. I see you in the distance alone, walking the shoreline, allowing the tide to caress your bare feet, smiling to yourself, as if knowing a pleasant secret or maybe just glad to be here on this perfect morning. I’m here by...

Vicki was a beautiful, high-spirited woman. She always had men waiting in the wings for her attention. I was her friend (we worked together) and had been close to her for several years, particularly close during her devastating, painful divorce a year earlier. She had just met a new man and was high on life again, as we all are in those circumstances. We decided to go to her place in the...

My darling Chad, Good morning, sleepyhead! I’ve been awake for a couple of hours and you’re still sawing logs. You always were a great sleeper. It gives me pleasure to watch you at rest. It also gives me a chance to finally do the right thing and fade out of your life for good. It was great being with you last night after your gig at the jazz event. Believe me, the pleasure was...

Diana moaned softly as she once more turned on her side in the big, empty bed. A California king they called it. Huge. Bill wanted it, he said, so it could be their playground and it was. She smiled to herself, remembering their playdates, wishing he was here instead of in Dallas on business. Dallas. Oil. Money. His career. She opened one eye and checked the clock. 3:42 a.m....

No one refused his offer. At least that‘s what she was told by Pete, the nightclub manager. Refusing any offer by a member of his New York crime family was unheard of. She was so naïve, barely off the train from the south and only 22 years old, unsophisticated in the ways of the big city. She complained to Pete that she didn’t want to join this guy in his limo outside the club. He...

Nothing much out of the ordinary happens in my home town. Beyond the occasional tornado scare or bad snow storm, life is predictable. I like that. It gives one a sense of order not to be jolted by unusual circumstances. Even though we are just a stone’s throw from Cincinnati, OH, what happens in Cincy stays in Cincy, as far as we are concerned… you know, like Vegas. The other...

Seed peppered upon the good earth, seed creamed into longing wombs germinates and lies dormant until spring comes or gestation ends. Then awakens the titanic effort, the push toward light and life for plant and fetus alike, predestined, ordained for species continuance. Bending soil, stretching flesh, the desire for existence undenied,...