athesaurus.com

…breathe deeply and often…

  • Phone Runner

    The crowd-in-a-box jerked into silence when the shrill squeal pierced their ears.

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  • Welcome Back

    No. I’d been gone four days, strangers had been in to feed him, and he needed cream now. 

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  • Skipping Stones

    Bart Goins, ten-year-old, Davis Lake Rock skipping champion has been suspected of cheating.

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  • Reflection

    Susan would have been hot anywhere, anytime, wearing anything, with or without the fan.

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  • Bring it

    Is it terrible that I look for her obituary on a regular basis?

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  • Will stole their words and actions for his newest play. Bad juju. Bad, bad juju for Will. 

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  • Writing Space

    The sun doesn’t shine a lot back here, so it’s always cooler, much cooler, back here in the woods where the flowers grow. 

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  • DP Benches

    To see the edges of the art deco bank covered in blue and green sparkles was something out of a snowglobe.

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  • Palms

    I was developing a terrible dislike for dragons. 

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  • Wishes

    “Well, why don’t you just tell me what’s on your mind so I can deal with it,” said Betty.

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  • The Road

    The Road Haunt yourself. What does the sky hunt when it is the color of the red tailed hawk? Hope caught in the clouds and turned to dust, drifting Freedom and loneliness balance between the ground and glory. No footprints on the planks to paradise. Read more

  • Snooty Defined

    Snooty defined “‘Brook’ sounds too snooty, use ‘creek.’ You’re always putting on airs. Stop trying to be somebody you’re not, use ‘creek.’” said Mr. Barber.  Shit, he was mean. I didn’t want him looking at my paper, not after what I’d just heard him do to Cynthia’s. He was right, of course, she was always… Read more

  • Today I Want…

    Today, I want… Summer is a conundrum. I look forward to summer all year long, to be out of school and away from the stench of curriculum. I want to be away from pointing and clicking at things so trite and mindless that it makes me want to lose what little relationship with a creator… Read more

  • Tend

    I tend a heartless garden.  Once bursting with flowers blue ones  seeds tossed from witch’s brooms on full moon rides,  cold ones Belladonna blues widen your eyes enough  show you Jesus through foxglove’s purple haze and sweeten the path with Camomile  Come walk with me. I’ll show you. Read more

  • I Need Seven Letters

    I looked at the board. “MEDICATE.” My letters covered all but the “C.” Upwords, the word game of all word games, and I scored sixteen points plus a fifty point bonus score. “Eat that!”  Nick looked at me with fire in his eyes. Not even his Mama, Express of the Galaxy, Sworn Sorceress of All… Read more

  • The Teacher

    Ode to a Teacher Hammat. John Charles Hammat. Unconventional teacher of the universe died last month. Taught for four years, my four years, enough to get one class through, and quit to clean houses and live however he chose. He’d had enough of public schools. He taught Drama and English, but I only had him… Read more

  • Phone Runner

    The crowd-in-a-box jerked into silence when the shrill squeal pierced their ears.

    Read more

  • Welcome Back

    No. I’d been gone four days, strangers had been in to feed him, and he needed cream now. 

    Read more

  • Skipping Stones

    Bart Goins, ten-year-old, Davis Lake Rock skipping champion has been suspected of cheating.

    Read more

  • Reflection

    Susan would have been hot anywhere, anytime, wearing anything, with or without the fan.

    Read more

  • Bring it

    Is it terrible that I look for her obituary on a regular basis?

    Read more

  • Will stole their words and actions for his newest play. Bad juju. Bad, bad juju for Will. 

    Read more

  • Writing Space

    The sun doesn’t shine a lot back here, so it’s always cooler, much cooler, back here in the woods where the flowers grow. 

    Read more

  • DP Benches

    To see the edges of the art deco bank covered in blue and green sparkles was something out of a snowglobe.

    Read more

  • Palms

    I was developing a terrible dislike for dragons. 

    Read more

  • Wishes

    “Well, why don’t you just tell me what’s on your mind so I can deal with it,” said Betty.

    Read more


  • Let’s Call it Art

    “That painting on the wall is askew and is about to fall down on the fragile candy dish on top of the buffet. Between the shards of glass that escape and the bits of sweets that scatter, it will never be safe to go barefoot in the house again. Move the damned painting,” He said.…

  • Hall Pass

    The state took over our school and taught me how to teach the way they wanted me to. They didn’t demand I command a hundred seat auditorium, they were more concerned that I orchestrate three classes in one classroom. They noticed I had leadership skills. They didn’t say        whether they were good…

  • Fashion Emergency

    I had on boots, leggings, a sweater dress, and vintage jewelry. The brooch was a stone blue, grey, and weird white that went perfectly with the black of the dress. It had matching clip earrings that were so perfectly cut they glistened in the dark. They were even comfortable to wear. I had lost twenty…

  • Parable of the Long Spoons

    Parable of the long spoons Hell is where the spoons are so long you can’t feed yourself the luscious food on the table. Heaven is where the spoons are the same size as the ones in Hell, but everyone is willing to feed you. I hope there’s a special place in Heaven for those who…

  • A Prayer for School

    Dear Lord, Take the thunderstorm out of my brain when my lightning temper flares. Let my past stop ruling my head and teach me silent grace. Teach me to accept my students as humans with quirks, and humor,  not the hateful banshees I see them as. Lead me to peace and joy with them rather…