Alone in St. James’s Park

I nestle among the daffodils with their mouths turned open toward me. The green of the lawn stretches like a giant carpet rolled out beneath my feet. The ripples on the pond create a wavering reflection of the trees, abundant with new leaves.

Swans congregate near the shores, their long necks delicate against the greenery. Over the tops of the trees, the round London Eye peeks through into the park. I lift my banana toffee cupcake to my mouth, inhaling its sweet caramel flavor.

I take one perfect bite, the flavors of the banana and toffee melt together in my mouth. I lift my camera, pose the cupcake in front of the yellow daffodils and snap. The shutter clicks.

Looking for more short reads? Check out these pieces by folks at the MockingOwl Roost.

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• The Doll – Flash Fiction
• Dark Enchantments – Nonfiction
• Meatloaf for One – Flash Fiction

Ammanda Selethia Moore

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Ammanda Selethia Moore (they/elle) is a non-binary poet and writer who also teaches English at Norco College. Their poetry has been published in Synchronized Chaos, Literary Yard, and The Journal of Radical Wonder. They live with their partner in sunny southern California.

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