athesaurus.com

…breathe deeply and often…

  • Former Student, Shawn…Cool Kid

    Shawn will always be one of my kids, even though he’s been a grown-assed man for at least thirty years now. I remember certain students for random reasons. Shawn was a twin, a brilliant one. Blonde, nice looking, a sweeter young man with manners you’d never meet. He was a creative writer, but he’d never… Read more

  • Multiples

    I don’t know what kind of magic is in a twin, but I know there’s more power in it than science can explain. Read more

  • Big Tears…

    He was matter of fact, but I was shaking in my boots. I didn’t see this day coming so soon. Read more

  • Lincoln’s Tophat: One Story

    Late at night, when Abe took off his hat, he crumbled like a cookie in a coffee cup of doubt. Read more

  • My Luxurious Mistake: For Bruce and Gail

    My trip ended too quickly, but before it did, I made a crucial but wonderful mistake. Read more

  • Fire

    I learned a long time ago to hide the things you want most, for those will be taken from you first. Read more


  • Unspoken Trophy

    “I need an introduction to our class.” So, I was asked to lead an exercise, Off the cuff with no tenor and no bass My chest puffed out ever so slight, so wise. Stood taller, looking people in the eye Relax, lean back, let them complete the why As if not wanting to draw attention Wrote poems with the “I am” intentionsTrying…

  • Delight Risk

    Either you will fall, or will be taught to fly.

  • High School Gossip

    “I heard they broke up and Tom was going to ask Janeen to the prom,” Becky announced it in Social Studies class. “Betty was all upset about it in English this morning. She was so mad she was crying. I’d hate to be Janeen,”  “How do you know that’s why Betty was so mad and…

  • Anticipation

    Anticipation, sweaty palms shaking; Jittery, bouncing a foot on the floor Trembling legs crossing, uncrossing, twitching Recheck your hair in a makeup mirror Peek out the window, hover by the door Pace — hide your face behind your hands, cover Hover again, then sit quivering A pounding heart, lack of concentration Glances at the clock,…

  • Company

    Tonight. I am company. I tread lightly in my extended family’s home. I am a guest. I am on good behavior. I tell and listen to the telling from children with wide ears, eyes, and smiles. I am more polite than usual.  I have helped the eldest son get an A on an English paper,…