Life by Elda Armourdrien (ebook reader browser .txt) 📕

“Modern Damage”

The sun beats on my reddened scalp. Water scrapes my hairy legs. Grunting, panting, I scoop at the black mess. My basketball shorts are covered in slime. My gray t-shirt is no better. My toes dig into the sand, brace for the inevitable.

One scoop. Two scoops. Three scoops. Oh shit!

My arm brushes my scrubby beard. My head finds the seabed. Floating above me, floating away from me, is the black silhouette of my bucket. Bit by bit, oozing bits of crud joins its neighbors.

I flip over, sand swirling around me, and resurface.

Again

, I think to myself.


“A Simple Picture”

A gentle breeze rustled through the fog. The sun crept through scattered, green leaves. The shadows fell haphazardly to the stones and twigs of the earthy floor. Birds—Chickadees, Cardinals, Buntings—create a simple melody in the forest. Drilling like the sound of a gentle summer thundercloud, Redbellies, Downies, and Palliates hid their fiery reds. A gust of warm, moist air brought the sweet scent of honeysuckle and moss.

The wooden rocker squeaked in the breeze. Silver wind chimes beckoned for action. I lowered the coffee cup, the ceramic clicking dully on the wooden armrest, and stepped out to meet the day.


“The Present”

Scissors?

Nah, teeth’re fine…

You sure it’ll fit?

Ca’mon… Ah, see, teeth work.

I don’t think it’s going to fit.

You worry too much.

The box is bending.

You need new glasses.

The ribbon is tearing…

It’s at least a quarter of an inch thick!

Yeah, and ripping.

You want to do it? It’s your idea, anyway.

Hey, I suggested the sweater. You bought the 3-D monster.

Tape?

Scotch?

No, real tape.

Okay… Here you go.

See! A little duct tape, and all’s well.

Uh huh… Well I’m

taking it to the post office.

She’s all yours…if you can catch!

Publication Date: 08-21-2010

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