Boarder

Home for the summer, a neighbor boy rides his skateboard every night. The rhythmic rolling of the wheels sounds before the thump of impact and the sound of steps as he regains his footing and prevents a tumble. This irritates the dog, who sends barks in the teen’s direction. He gathers his skateboard and goes to a side road with a steeper grade. There he can find his balance, gain speed, and build his skills without criticism.

No. 099

Ren Faire

The dog sniffed at the base of a flowering jacaranda, violet petals falling softly from the branches and coating the grassy lawn. Across the street, people began streaming out of an apartment building. The women wore dresses or tunics with flower crowns. The men were dressed as knights and jesters. There were kings and queens, plastic, bejeweled crowns atop their heads. They carried flagons and steins, plastic swords and rapiers, bows and quivers. Passing cars honked. Neighbors stared, took photos, commented on the number of friends. The group posed in front of white flowering bushes along the fenceline, then piled into a black van, rented out for the occasion. In true fashion, a lone friar exited the building late and was the last to board the vessel.

No. 052

Call & Response

Whispering questions to cascading water. Watch it come to a boil, and pour it into a mug to clear this days-old congestion. When it’s finished, I hope to find the answers in the leaves.

No. 042