January 19, 2026
Emma has to wash off all that dirt in the shower. Standing under the scalding jets of water, the girl scrolls through memories. She’s tired of trying to get on TV, let alone singing in the small basement club.
January 17, 2026
I’m going to see my sis today.
She loves when I tell
her stories. [Laugh.] So I’m
wearing my fossil bracelet with
a chambered nautilus [66 million
years old]; Amber [I’ll make up
a date]; A shark tooth — not a fossil.
January 16, 2026
Robbie knew there were wild animals in the forest; there were hairy boars with sharp white tusks and hungry wolves that would eat you for dinner. However, the little boy was so desperate for some courage that he’d do anything, even if it meant killing a snake or running faster than any other animal.
January 15, 2026
From the start it was evident that my guide, Tony, would have been much happier working on his own. He only spoke to me to bark instructions. He barely made eye contact and didn’t respond to any pleasantries at all.
January 11, 2026
Always the same large cups, mine from Fretboard and his from Trailhead.
Always the same dance of the mugs, clinking the ceramic, the scalding first sip.
The coffee is a ritual of purpose, of togetherness.
Of starting a day, and taking on a responsibility for myself and another person.
Something I chose and continue to choose.
January 10, 2026
Well before dawn on Sunday, there was a call coming up the stairs, growing closer and louder, “Who’s a skier?” Then a not too gentle knock on the door — BAM BAM BAM. And another call, retreating down the stairs, “The car is leaving in 15 minutes…”
January 4, 2026
The Book is as much a history lesson as it is a mystery, revealing more than it conceals, but always leaving a few things a little unraveled for our imagination to wonder at — for so history itself, with its often patchy evidence, demands.
January 3, 2026
We were simpatico, mostly, except when you slipped into your father’s skin. Your dad and mom were hand in glove, you bragged. His hand, her pliant glove, I thought, but never said.
January 1, 2026
what lies behind the speaking oceans? what resides between the words trees have spoken? what have the hums of my ancestors awoken?
December 31, 2025
I am New Year’s Day
for a short twenty-four hours;
ready to give everyone a fresh start in life
as my life begins seconds before…
December 31, 2025
The fax machine sprang alive. She waited for it to finish and read the paper. “Good Evening, Ms. Li-Tybalt. My name is Victor Rolfe. I operate a business known as the ‘Order of the Dragon Theatre Troupe.’ You have been selected to participate in one of our most exciting games to be held tonight.”...She crumpled the paper and tossed it towards the shredder. The fax rang again. She just caught the words on the paper. “Ms. Tybalt, I have your son.”
December 31, 2025
A strange darkness crept into my consciousness as I sat there with the broken ornament in my hand. Even the lights on the Christmas tree seemed to dim a bit, as if portending that something ominous approached.