Nodding 55

I nod. Nod off by the big bay window, listening to the wind blow, howling up the bluffs below. Unleashing its anger upon us, perhaps lingering for days, maybe gone tomorrow. Chances are those same clouds and lightning will just regroup somewhere else around the globe in some form, before returning to slam us again.

V

Leaving Tracks 55

Eventually Isaac came to realize Ingrid was holding him back,
from a different life, that he couldn't begin to explain. He'd
accompany her until that afternoon, then he'd throw her on the
train, as they would find themselves at the station. But she had
had enough, he knew it, so he threw himself aboard instead.

The Note

There it was, a new note slid under the door. He let it set, confident it wasn't going to leave, and paced recklessly, shaken to the quick to pick it up. Was she up to her old tricks? How did she get in in the first place? Her stealth became her. He would expect no less, but why the stalking and why the mess? She would profess something profound, about new found honesty, just now discovered, and the lover she'd always adored. How she lamented the many ways she'd mistreated me.  And it was real. But it cemented the deal, that envelope, left sealed, its contents never to be revealed.

Choosing instead to busy himself preparing for the day ahead...barely conscious of his doings, showered, brushed his teeth, or had he?...forgot a jacket and it was freezing, but his biggest concern was in the fleeing, crushing the note while slamming the door, trusting when he got home, it wouldn't be there anymore.

V

CARMEL 55

There weren't that many opportunities.
 Carmel came to realize it, 
but she arrived much too late. 
There were reasons. Plans weren't hers to make. 
The men, her mistakes, the child, her salvation, 
but the days, they were too occupied. 
A semblance of a lifetime, fades away, 
slipping back into the abyss. 
If only she knew.

V

The Snake 55

Fear closes in like a big lazy python luxuriating in the sun.
Moving so slow you'd hardly notice. It's ripples, barely
detectable. No worries, as you share the same sunny glade,
and leafy shade, but Imperceptibly things change.  That soft
languid snake, is now a cold hard chain. Wrapping around
your body, smothering your brain.

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The Flaw 55

He was versed at being the target. No deflection, no misdirection. Head-on.  The hard thud of reality, only briefly realized. Done.

There's a flaw here don't ya see? The fella that died was me. But, what may have caused it?...I don't know. Was there a burst, bullet, or bus?  How did I finally go?

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MILK TRUCK 55

She got a baby bucket. It would be hell to pay to get to, but I managed just the same. Mama gives me one...two...three mouths to feed. Me.

What the hell do I know? I drive a milk truck….oh, they’re talking about extending my route, but, in reality, there's not much hope . 

V