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Journal Entries

No "A" Allowed

Joseph didn't like squirt guns
He didn't like swimming
He didn't like the pool
He didn't like bees
He didn't like flowers
He didn't like the sun
He didn't like picnics
He didn't like being hot
He didn't like mosquitoes
He didn't like the outdoors
He didn't like bonfires
He didn't like sleeping in
He didn't like relaxing
He didn't like shorts or flip flops
He didn't like sunscreen
Joseph despised summer.

Pictures of Animals

He used to send her pictures of animals.
They'd come unexpectedly
when she was at work
or just waking up
or shopping for clothes.
And they'd come when they hadn't spoken yet that day.
He used to send her pictures of animals.
Once, it was after a nightmare
where she woke up struggling to breathe,
and once it was while they fought.
He used to send her pictures of animals.
They'd make her smile and laugh.
They'd make her forget what was wrong.
He used to send her pictures of animals.
He used to.

"It happened that green and crazy summer when…"

It happened that green and crazy summer when Frankie was twelve years old. It was the summer he would later think of when he thought about how great summer was. The particular day he thought of was always the same.
He was headed down the street toward the park, about 10AM. He could already hear the shrieks of little kids at the water park even though it wasn't in his line of vision yet. The change he had for the ice cream truck jingled in his shorts pocket. He was walking quite quickly, because he knew if Nigel didn't get there in time, someone would steal their tree.
As he got closer, he saw a figure perched in amongst the branches and relaxed because Nigel was there. Frankie slowed down his steps. It was already getting hot. When he reached the tree and began to climb, he started talking, as if picking up the conversation he and Nigel had never finished the evening before. When he got no response, he stopped his ascent and looked up. The figure he had taken for his best friend Nigel was a girl.
Nigel never showed up that day. He had come down with the flu.
That was the day Frankie met his secret friend.

Diction Assignment

Brighton Pier in the 1970s. A couple walks along the pier on a sunny afternoon and discusses dinner plans.

“Say, darling, what do you say to spending the evening out with me tonight? It has been a quite some time since we were apart from the children.”

“Oh John, you know I’d love to. But who will care for the children tonight? Charles needs his bath, you know. He’s filthier than a mud puddle.”

“But Margaret, dear, perhaps your sister will be willing to come by for the evening. I’m sure she would if you asked.”

“I’d best not trouble her again, John. She already does so much.”

“You make a fair point, darling. But I’ll tell you what, if I may. Why don’t I ask cousin Jack to come by? He’s a good lad, Jack is. He’ll surely agree to it. What do you say? You’ll do this, won’t you Margaret?

“All right. I’ll chance it. I s’pose Jack is rather responsible. Where would you like to spend the evening then, dear?”

Brighton Pier, 2013. A couple walks walks along the pier and plans out their evening.

“Hey, love, do you fancy going out for a drink tonight? Maybe some dinner too? We haven’t gone out without the kids in forever.”

“You’re right, Dave. But the kids need baths, and we don’t have anyone with enough patience to look after them.”

“What about your sister? She’s always around.”

“She’ll say no, Dave. You know she will. Remember last time when she looked after them? She couldn’t get the paint out of her hair for a week. There’s a reason she doesn’t have kids of her own.”

“Fine. What about Damien? He owes us a favour after we let him use the garage that one time. That sound good to you?”

“Yeah, okay. He does owe us, and I guess he’s old enough now. Where were you thinking of going tonight?”

Bop

Once I’ve buried this feeling

You say all you wanted

Was to avoid a fight,

But instead of backing down,

You snuck around the side and

Allowed your desperation to

Morph into betrayal and manipulation

Let’s talk again once I’ve buried this feeling.

You had me thinking we were

Getting along, but you didn’t let me know

You were lighting fires elsewhere.

You watched me step

Right into the flames,

Didn’t tell me the whole truth

Until it had passed, and left me.

Used. Charred.

Let’s talk again once I’ve buried this feeling.

It’s been some time now, and

The sting has turned to an ache.

I’ve distanced, distracted, coached myself,

Focused on forgiving you.

I know you don’t agree,

But I just need a little more time.

Let’s talk again once I’ve buried this feeling.