She wasn’t looking forward to seeing his parents today. Louise hadn’t spent one on one time with them yet, and the way Tom went on about them, she didn’t want to. It seemed Tom had nothing nice to say about them, and her impression was that they were the intolerant types, and self-righteous. Tom always said he was raised “well enough” in … Continue reading
I do. It’s been awhile since we had a relationship but we used to. A long time ago. I certainly was much more impressionable then. I mean after all I was just a small child. But Jesus and I had it going on really. I believed in him and felt him in my heart all … Continue reading
I see them every Sunday Those fine people going to church Dressed like they mean it Sauntering down the street Arms swinging Heads held high Going to the holy land Fine people Going to church. I have a random memory of being a small child and sweeping the driveway. My dad looked over my shoulder. … Continue reading
First appeared in the The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature It’s a common thing around here. Family cemeteries in people’s backyards or somewhere on their land. On land that’s been passed down from generation to generation. There are currently laws on the books protecting this sacred land from development. Would you want to build a … Continue reading
Brenda has lived out in the county for over twenty years. Her ex-husband hasn’t worked in over two, leaving her with no child support for her three young children. She’s struggled to keep up with the house payments and been in danger of foreclosure for months, this despite working two jobs. She’s been coming to … Continue reading
Today I’m excited because this is the time of year when my church hosts a homeless shelter in our town. By that I mean we set up cots in one of our church buildings and have about forty-five guys stay over. There are women too, but we don’t host them this time, another church takes … Continue reading
They say he died of natural causes. But I know different. I know he died of a broken heart. And how do I know this? Because I always there- mostly on the periphery- but there nonetheless. At this point I think I was the only one. I only think that as not many came to … Continue reading
Ginger said goodbye to her mother and hung up the phone simply exhausted. It seems no matter what I say, she doesn’t seem to understand that I’ve got my own problems. And she makes me feel so small, ya know? Always wanting to know every detail of what’s going on with me, blah blah sticking … Continue reading
I forged a new trail today. Well I didn’t actually forge it myself, I’m sure it’s been there a very long time. This trail is part of an impressive myriad of trails that are a hop, skip and a jump from my front door. They weave their way through the woods and down the mountain … Continue reading
I enjoyed you this morning. I usually do, although it’s definitely a full morning to say the least. I enjoyed you years ago when I first came to see you. Although at that time I just showed up to help. The heavy lifting, the set up, and the assisting of the folks loading their grocery … Continue reading
They’ll say nice things about me after I’m gone. At my funeral. If I have one that is. Securing a pauper’s grave is not an easy thing to come by, I know. But however it turns out, I’m sure they’ll wax eloquent about my good qualities, and most certainly mention my “otherworldness”. Well I hope … Continue reading
It’s the quietness of my mind that I crave. Like when I was smaller, much younger. I would close my eyes while staring into the sun. I’d get amusement and something akin to inspiration, just by closing my eyes and looking as far ahead as I could; by squeezing them shut. All yellow and white and red … Continue reading
I do. It’s been awhile since we had a relationship but we used to. A long time ago. I certainly was much more impressionable then. I mean after all I was just a small child. But Jesus and I had it going on really. I believed in him and felt him in my heart all … Continue reading
I wasn’t looking forward to seeing his parents today. I hadn’t spent much one on one time with them yet, and the way Tom always went on about them, I really didn’t want to. It seemed Tom had nothing nice to say about them, and my impression was that they were the intolerant types, and a bit self-righteous too. … Continue reading
Pete Armetta 