It was the sweltering heat that most pained him. More than the shitty job of party pleaser at rich kids’ parties, or the clapped out camry he’d bought from a bloke in a pub that he drove from gig to gig. More than the prickly synthetic of the Santa suit that spiked his limbs and set his groin on fire every time he put it on. It affected his brain, …
Jim looked around him at the outdoor adventure store. It was huge. The Christmas tree was up and there were tinsels draped along the walls. The clientele seemed to be comprised of middle aged men with a penchant for check shirts and jeans. Were they buying gifts for themselves? Jim was more a dress shirt guy himself. The thought of camping or anything rugged invoked a disgust in him. He …
You’ve always been beguiled by the moon. To you its ancient reflection is two men at a card table, one hunching over like Uriah Heep, the other’s hands high in the air. Had Uriah shot the other? Or was the other whooping because he was winning a card game? (It’s always titillated you that this reflection is upside down in the northern hemisphere – you can only see these men, …
The tyres of the white Volvo crunched over the gravel as Hilda pulled into the near empty parking lot. ‘Here we are kids: Fånsborg City Sculpture Gardens. This should be so much fun.’ Hilda’s two children, twelve-year-old Stefan and nine-year-old Micaela groaned. ‘Can’t we go back to Horror World?’ said Stefan. ‘We’ve been there twice this vacation,’ Hilda replied. ‘That’s already too much stimulation. We’re going to have a nice …
‘Twas the month before Christmas when all through my head Not a thought was stirring, not even a thread. The desk was cleaned, the PC turned on, Hoping inspiration would arrive anon. The keys were snuggled tight in their board, And fingers aloft, I felt like a fraud. When out in the ether there arose such a clatter I quickly switched tabs to see what was the matter. Away to …
Unsure of whether I had Caught the right bus, I Inquired of the old lady Next to me, Does this bus Go to Death? She looked me up and down And replied, Oh yes, I’m headed that way myself. Just get off two stops Before I do. She was diminutive In appearance despite Her bulky woollen coat And the colourful scarf Around her neck. Her smile was …
‘Johnny Bastard Dalton, as I live and breathe!’ John looked up from his book. He didn’t recognise the man; maybe it was the shadow cast by his sunhat. A smallish build, round faced, a tropical shirt and thin legs with swollen knees emerging from cargo shorts. A fat cigar between two fingers. The man removed his hat and raised his arms. ‘Come on, J.B.D., is it me looking old or …
Controlling her anger was one thing. But it didn’t stop her ramming his car. Nathan had been dead for a year. The grief took control for a time, dictated her needs and wants. But one rainy morning she awoke without thinking of him. With her head nestled into the pillow, the doona a near-perfect temperature, for a moment she was almost content. She felt almost like getting out of bed. …
“Mummy, mummy, look, look!” Lina pulls hard at her mother’s hand as she chats with one of her grown-up friends. They’ve been chatting forever, their voices hovering over Lina as she skips back and forth on the long asphalt path. “What Lina, what is it?” Her mother bends to peer in the direction Lina is frantically pointing. “Oh, you clever girl,” her mother replies and stands again. “Lina has found …
The celebrated restaurant stood out from the dark street like a reassuring beacon. Yonder! Its glittering lights radiated warmth, welcome and the promise of a good feed. The married couple had arrived. They had walked huddled together in the cold, dark and narrow streets of an old suburb undergoing a renewal. The wife had both her arms around her husband’s for warmth and safety. The husband let out a sigh …