*Spoiler alert!* This is a serial - don't jump into the middle! Part I is here.
The quiet in the house was matched outside
By silence on the street. No cars, no train.
I'd listened to the noises all subside,
As Christmas Eve took over the mundane.
And now I had some trouble staying up.
So all the stuff I'd hoped to exorcise,
I set aside for now, put down my cup,
And lay back in the chair, to close my eyes.
Some hours later -- I'm not certain when --
I woke. That big machine that cleans the street
Was passing just outside the window. Then,
While it was groaning out its long retreat,
I realized I had heard another sound.
I pulled the curtain back, to look around.
- End of Part II -
Go to Part III.
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Alysa Salzberg
Melissa Miles McCarter
Scarlett Sumac
jlsathre
Matt Paust
Jowita Bydlowska
Salon.com
Comments
@anna_liese: I'm with you. I love it. (You have probably noticed the gap in your address. With my fading eyesight, I cannot determine what goes there. Maybe it's the font or the italics.)
But gee wiz ... with all the sadness I've been feeling at what is happening for our dear friend, Kim; for another friend of mine; and, also for my daughter ... I've sure got my fingers crossed for a happy ending here.
And lay back in the chair, to close my eyes."
I read those lines 4 times - you nailed it....
anna1, aha, you guessed. I should have made it harder!
Antoinette, yes and don't forget your teddy bear and comforter. This might go on all night, you might fall asleep.
pastvoices, the fire... hm... let me think about that.
Leon, I have *read* a sonnet or two to the kids. But when I talk to them, it's more like a game of twenty questions ("How was school today?" / "I don't know..." )
Lea, hey, timing! Boy, I'm going to put a spoiler alert out on you.
dlv, yes "drift" may be the operative word. Let's see if I can sail into some harbor or other.
catch - a ver!
Kate - no promises. But you've stuck to it so well so far, I'll try to make it worth it!
Y - Like they say: write what you know.
Thank you all so much for coming by! New installment! And don't forget to patronize our sp- ...hey! Wasn't there a sponsor here a minute ago?
Goodnight!