“I think that’s enough for tonight, Nobuo.” The young boy’s father had stood in the doorway for thirty minutes, moved by his son’s unwavering focus and diligence. He knew he would have continued through the night if he was allowed. “Just one more, daddy,” he responded, his tone respectful but determined. Nobuo turned his head to give an almost pleading look; his father simply nodded.  “Lights out in five minutes.” The lum...

The living room television plays in the background as Sol inspects his son, Mikhail, one final time. He kneels down to polish his boots with the cuff of his sleeve till they shine. As he stands, he ensures the belt is secure and then moves around to the back. He attaches the cape and unfurls it. A shimmering golden cascade flows down almost to the ground. Sol turns Mikhail to face him and smiles with admiration. The royal...

"A Dark Matter"(Raanana, October 4, 2018) I see you everywhere I goYou follow me even into the bedroomAnd crawl into bed beside meEntering my dreams.You are the dark sun shining your dark photons,Your shadows are my only light.You are every age you've ever been,You are the idea of youJust after I discovered I was pregnant,You are this thing growing in my bellyNow, this homunculus bursting from my wombSuckling my breast,An...

"Yuval" Three in the morning A soft blue light emanated under the blanket. His father stared into the darkness at the tell-tale light And whispered, “Aren’t you asleep yet?” “Wait! I’m fighting the Klaxons,” Yuval whispered back. The twelve-year-old jinxed left and downward Avoiding a thorg and racked up survival points Passing safely through an asteroid belt When the sirens started blaring through the walls And the phone...

Tic, tic, tic, a sound we've all heardYour whole life it seems, their presencesometimes a comforting soundNo longer, this last ones the worstTo hear the pain it's causing youmakes my heart bleed and hurtTic, tic, tic, a sound, God's joke?Your brain a mystery, your smilelaughter, a gift to help us throughHours we've spent in discussionabout the why and the howsTherapy, meds all tried in your lifeSchool passed, twice you ga...

“How much?” he asked the vendor pointing at the pile of tomatoes with an authoritative tone. “It’s 30 Rs a kilo, take it for 25 Rs” She says, as she arranges the pile of tomatoes, also luring the customer. “Too much, let’s go son,” without turning he walks slowly away from the vendor. I was watching thinking what’s going on here. He should have bought it. “Oh, don’t go away like that, say one more value,” she pleads with...

My sonGod took a piece of my heartMade it youAnd made it lastA love like thisAn ache in my chestA love like thisI must confessI really wasn't sureHow I would feelBut now I knowBecause you are realI had to see youTo feel itTouch you, hold youTo believe itNo denyingI am cryingHolding you closeI love you the mostTears are fallingMy son I love youNever realised how muchI'd adore youWant to write you storiesWant everything for...

Looking at a picture, you are captured in time.So long ago, it sends good chills up my spine. You toiled together to make the bare land go.Made a home, a place for your children to grow. I never had a chance to meet either of you.Searching for my roots made me feel blue. Two children, a boy who would become my dad.The other one, a pretty girl, my auntie you had. I have been to the place known as The Ranch.Proud I am, on y...

That her God always hears That is what she believes And that helps her and comforts her Because she grieves For the loss of her loved ones Both her husband and son Who had died in september of 2001 They were firemen  Rescuing folks from the towers And when they collapsed She had waited for hours She had prayed every minute But too soon it was clear That fate had made truth Of her ultimate fear They were heroes, her men Th...

You want what? It was Christmas Eve 1996, daddy was back from the war in Vietnam. It had been a long year with daddy gone. Everyone was so excited about Christmas. We all bundled up and everyone jumped into the car to go and see all the Christmas lights. We were having such a great time and suddenly our five year old son excitedly said, “I can't stand it. I want it to be Christmas morning.” I made the comment that he must...

Today is your birthdayI'm sorry I couldn't be with youMy heart achingI remember the night you were bornYour first cry into this worldThe joy of holding you in my armsLooking into your eyesYou were taken away because you were sickTears rolling down my faceI finally got to hold you, feed youSmiling as the nurse asked if I wanted to change the dateYou are always in my heartI will love you forever just as a mother shouldYou w...

You went home to see your mum in January For a normal visitation and never returned. Now, five long months have passed and although we looked, you have remained gone. So today we went to court Trying to get you safely returned. The judge listened calmly at first However your mother did something stupid. She started mouthing off at the judge. so in the end they sent your mum to jail. The judge ordered that you were to come...

You asked me daddy to play it brave when you left for the war that day. I'm sorry but when I started to wave, an itty bitty tear gave me away. I tried to recover and wipe it away as you walked toward the plane. I tried really hard but what can I say my trembling lips gave me away. I stilled my lips and wiped my eyes but when you turned and waved to me, my body betrayed my brave disguise as everyone noticed my wobbly knee....

How do you stand to just sit in your roomYou never leave the houseYou are 20 years oldWhere is your ambition? Go get a jobDo somethingIt breaks my heart To watch you every day Glued to your phonePlaying video games all day Go do something See someoneLeave the houseYou aren't a child anymore You need to work How do I bring you to reality ?I worked AND went to schoolIf I couldn't find a jobI just kept trying I couldn't stan...

Mom got a First class ticket to Heaven, that's for sure.Everybody who knew my mom, absolutely adored her.She always helped others or she would bust her butt trying.It was so sad when her doctor said that she was dying.Now she's in Heaven and she has eternal happiness.Having her for my mother truly made me blessed.She decided to return to her hometown of Sneedville in 2011.When she passed away, she got a First class ticket...