Monthly Archives: May 2012

Traffic (Part 2 of 4)

Posted on May 31, 2012 by sputterpub

Starting late in 2012, American society ceased to move. Communities turned inward, made do with less, stopped interacting. But some of the college-age kids, those who had been associating most freely with each other, refused to quit. Clara and Hank … Continue reading →

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Traffic (Part 1 of 4)

Posted on May 30, 2012 by sputterpub

Before the Jihad, travel was easy. Before the Jihad, “jihad” meant holy war, but terrorists and the media changed that. Muslims had to come up with another word for holy war, afterwards. After-word. In the old days, travel was easy. … Continue reading →

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Studio

Posted on May 29, 2012 by sputterpub

I feared I’d waste myself: I used to dream recurrently about an unused room. Reminded nightly to it, I’d redeem it from the day’s oblivion, resume a planned inhabitance, investigate its windowless perimeter, and then I’d wake to tasks already … Continue reading →

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Deliberately Adrift

Posted on May 25, 2012 by sputterpub

I used to have an automatic gauge. It didn’t matter where or when I went: there always was a crowd of folks my age around me. We are the experiment abused by apres bellum attitude (they fought to keep us … Continue reading →

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School Spirit (2 of 2)

Posted on May 24, 2012 by sputterpub

They never make it to the vigil. Rob is hauled into the waiting area outside the dean’s office, and after 19 minutes he is summoned inside and suspended for three days. Colleges are informed; he always afterwards believes he was … Continue reading →

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School Spirit (1 of 2)

Posted on May 23, 2012 by sputterpub

It is the first execution in almost 20 years. The state intends to kill James Abner Maddox, and the students are against that. Their high school looks like the prison; the seniors enjoy not a lawn but a quad. They … Continue reading →

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City of Light

Posted on May 22, 2012 by sputterpub

Describe the light, insists the prod within, that makes the city famous. Paris lit electrically, like varnish on live skin, does not impress this visitor a bit. But something in the valley of the Seine makes sunlight feel two miles … Continue reading →

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DOMA

Posted on May 21, 2012 by sputterpub

“There’s no doubt about it. Just look around you. Gay couples obviously make the best parents. They’re the ones adopting the older kids and the mixed race babies, and look how well they do.” “Come on – it can’t be … Continue reading →

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Snit

Posted on May 18, 2012 by sputterpub

I chipped away at chores the last three days, collected calm and tried to do things right. I watched my mouth in speech and eating ways, so why are my green trousers feeling tight? That doing right repays me well … Continue reading →

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(S)laughter

Posted on May 17, 2012 by sputterpub

“I’m sorry, but I just don’t like your laugh.” “What do you mean?” “I’ve tried to get over this, but it irritates me. It sounds phony.” “Phony? How can you say that?! If I were putting it on, don’t you … Continue reading →

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