Butterflies and bees danced under the summer sun as Gail walked to the raspberry patch. The heat was increasing as the day wore on but was still bearable. With the lake as her pool, the heat did not really matter to Gail. She would re-apply sunscreen and go for a dip later. Finding a bush with plenty of ripe, red berries, Gail started picking. Her husband Michael was grilling a trout he had caught for dinner. The berries...

Billy sat on the front step of his house with Flip, his cat, minding his own business when Elmira Kane ran up to him. She pointed her finger, still sticky from sucking taffy. “I know your secret, Billy Collins!” she declared. Billy gulped. Her chunky grin exposing the blackness between her missing teeth, she announced, “You're in love with the teacher!” His ears burned red beneath his baseball cap. “I knew it!” Elmira ski...

Our baby girls a blessing, she brightens up our day Except for when she’s crying, and doesn’t want to play   First time she rolled over, she chuckled with delight Shame she chose to do it, in the middle of the night   We thought it so exciting, we discovered her first tooth It’s not made her any happier, if I have to tell the truth   I sometimes have to pinch myself, to check that I’m not dreaming I try to rock her off to...

Standing at the school gate, Harry Connor cursed softly. Memory, you damned trickster. A tantalising image had shaped in the furred conduits of his ageing mind. A gem of reminiscence teasingly snatched away, evading his grasp. He had made this journey seeking to recall a special face. Now, the school’s soot-darkened bricks and stark arched windows had fleetingly evoked a significant moment, long forgotten. Bent against th...

The miracle of sound waves Projected on a screen Create a blurry image Of the child I’ve never seen   The first time that I saw you My jaw dropped to the ground Our precious little baby Was sleeping safe and sound   I couldn’t even see your face To put into a frame I wish that I could hold you I don't even know your name   I printed off your photograph Your scan in black and white It’s the only one I have of you I kiss it...

They lowered Bobby Bishop into St. Petersburg soil on a perfect December afternoon. For Jonathan Wilton, who'd flown from New York for the burial, this was Florida's old winter miracle. But no Florida sunshine cheered Bobby now: lost in Iraq (K.I.A.), aged twenty-eight. No longer in the breeze, steering a sailboat down Pass-a-Grille Channel, or skiing the Vermont hills. No more sunlight or moonlight for Bobby. Christmas w...

I dreamt a lot that night. My mind was recalling all the actions that took place today and would not let me sleep. I was just too thoughtful and curious about why these projections have appeared.  One particular had frozen me in place, with fear and disappointment, since I knew why I was here. I remembered. After all these years. It was where I first met her, next to my locker. Mine was 052, and she was 053. A new additio...

She awoke and was sleep walkingHer and her American Girl dollWhat she saw was rather shockingThere was blood dripping from the wallsWhose blood was it she thoughtHer mom and dad alive in bedShe was scared and distraughtPerhaps she had hit her headWas this just her in a dreamThe blood perhaps not thereWas it not really how it seemedThis was probably just a nightmareShe closed her eyes Went back to her bedroomShe didn't wan...

Rose red lips of a placid smile, keeping him in a trance and withering under her gaze. Playful eyes and teasing hands, she worked her way up to make him give in. Once he closed his eyes in surrender and ecstasy; slowly came about his demise by she who had her heart stolen. Now it's time to return the favor, drawing out her knife, this was a night she planned to savor. 

A warm spring night under the skyscrapers I stand under a blossoming tree Each flower burning and sparkling in orange light As a street lamp burns From within its tangled branches. The beautiful sight takes me back to Nashville last spring, And you - shimmering under a blossom tree too. You, me, and a friend, How I wished then that you could be mine, The music of your spirit still ringing in my ears, The music of your pre...

I hit play and watch myself in the recording. But what I see isn't what I remember. All I can remember is being knocked down after seeing a wide shouldered shadow following me. Was it a man or a woman? I can't even tell. I sit back in my living room, curled up on my couch, trying to catch my breath after what I just saw. I re-watch the video, hoping that it will help reality sink in. The video starts with my face, a faint...

My mind is like a giant wool ball. Every time I make the effort of unravelling it, I end up with a few persistent knots I never seem able to undo. I am quite stubborn myself and I can’t help overanalysing situations when something specific is hovering around my head. And most of the time that ‘something’ is most certainly a ‘he’.You, Sir, have made me the most fortunate and unlucky girl in this frightening big blue marble...

I looked at the newborn So tiny she was A little over five pounds brand new Big blue eyes And a cute little nose Lungs as strong as could be How can something so loud Come from this tiny thing My movement caught her eyes And she stopped and stared my way Then her mouth broke into a big grin It make my heart flip to see this Gas the nurse said as she went by Nope she smiled I was sure Laughing at the fact she could get awa...

Sweet little girlLying there face downYour pretty face in the water I am so touched little oneI am a mother tooPeople are shouting on internetIt's better that you and your family are deadThat you deserve to die.... Why??? I only see a sweet little girlProbably wearing your best dressYour parents had hopes and dreams for youWhy doesn't anybody see that? Why don't they seeThat your parents probablyWith their last money With...

------------------------------------- This work within its first few lines contains language or other material which some readers may find offensive. In consideration, Stories Space has hidden the preview of this selection. By choosing to view the piece in its entirety, you agree that you are 18 or older and do not object to such content. -------------------------------------In a gym at school a girl, nameless, ageless li...