hammond13

When I first saw you I staggered and whinged. So full of desire, I was coming unhinged. You ran from me then. I could only pursue. But your screams cut by heart With a scorn I could not misconstrue. I know that we’re different. I don’t have to be told. While you gather up flowers, I just gather up mold. Your flesh holds together. ‘As it should,’ you might say. But is it so bad for mine to fall off In small festering lumps of decay? I’ve heard all the objections. They’ve been drilled in my head. Simply put, you’re alive, while I... Am undead. The solution is clear. Just stop running, so tearful. I will

Eerie Mystery/Thriller It had been a long day, and on top of everything I couldn’t find my house key. We kept a spare in a faux rock by the back door, but there was no need. It was unlocked. I stumbled up the stairs to the kitchen and flipped the switch. The lights flickered, as they do, and something stuck underfoot. “What the hell?” Crumbs. Crumbs everywhere, along with bits of candied fruit. On the countertop the fruitcake which had stood brick-like and inviolable since the week before Christmas: ravaged, as if mauled by a raccoon. “Anyone home?” I peeked into the living room to see Sven reading a book on

So, you’re the new kid, right? Mind if I sit here? Thanks! Some people just like to eat lunch by themselves, and I’m cool with that, but I figured you’re just eating by yourself because you’re the new kid and you don’t know anybody, am I right? I’m Mike! What’s your name? I can’t hear, you talk so softly. What? Here, just say it right in my ear. Cool, nice to meet you Harry! You talk so softly I can hardly hear you, but that’s cool. You don’t like talking that much do you? That’s cool. People say I talk too much! Where are you from? Huh? New Mexico? Seriously? That’s like

A short comedy-horror story, now available as a Kindle eBook. Hellhound and graveyard guardian Grimur fell asleep on the job. By the time he woke up hundreds of years later, the graves were gone and humans had developed automobiles. He had two options: check in with Beelzebub for his next assignment -- never pleasant -- or lay low for a while... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08KNPBXLN

My shtick had admittedly gotten stale. I would say, “Hello! Woooo-oooop!” Then I would sway from side to side, rub my beak on my perch and say, “Whadaya mean, crazy?” Bodean got a kick out of that the first, oh, ten times I did it. But still, what a fuss they made over that cat. The first time the cat spoke, Bodean paused The Price is Right and remarked to Nancy, “That did not sound like a hairball.” Nancy got down on the floor and cooed, “What’s wrong Banksy? I hope you’re not sick!” Banksy leaned into the caress of her hand and repeated his first word in a crackly voice, as if he f

“Good morning, Brother Chris. Your tomatoes are spectacular.” “Praise be to God.” “Would you like some help weeding?” “Thank you, Brother Jacob, I would love some. My knees are killing me.” “Are they? You always look so content here, working in your garden.” “I am, in mind and spirit, but the body does have a tendency to complain.” “The soil is moist with yesterday’s rain. What a pleasure to dig in! Why, look at this worm, as fat as my finger.” “Let me see. Oh, yes, I call him Percy, one of my favorite little workers.” “Don’t tell

The sideshow acts had been run-of-the-mill. I saw a bearded lady and a man who ate glass. At the end of a line of tents sat one with no sign. The barker invited me in and I asked what I would see. “Something that must be seen to be believed.” While I was making up my mind, three men entered. I waited a minute to see if they would come out disappointed. They didn’t. “Why is it so quiet in there?” I asked the barker. “Once you see it, you’re struck dumb with amazement!” I paid my money and went in. Behind a burlap sheet was a room, in the middle of which a man sat on a folding chair. The men I saw

Word of the day: tertiary, adj., of the third order, rank, stage, formation, etc.; third. Okay, diary, get ready for this, I know I've been throwing a lot of poop your way lately, but today was actually a good day. I know. Weird. It didn't start out all fluffy bunnies and rainbows. There were no seats on the bus so I had to ask this girl to move her backpack, but she totally ignored me. She's kind of a gangster, but she's usually okay. She just turned her head and looked out the window, like I didn't exist. Already feeling like a ghost over here! You don't have to rub it in! I tried another seat, and this kid moved his backpack, but with this

Crank leaned back on the park bench and looked up at the rabbits chattering in the trees. He breathed through a ragged piece of rigatoni. The pasta had become too flimsy to hold its shape reliably, so he took a deep breath and chewed and swallowed it. He elbowed Darid, who was on the verge of dozing off, his own piece of rigatoni hanging from his lips. "Hand me another noodle, will you?" he said in a strained voice. Darid looked up in alarm. He wiped some drool from the side of his mouth as he took his rigatoni out and said, "I don't have any more. Didn't you bring some?" He put the rigatoni back in his mouth. Crank jumped up and started rifl

The bees were getting restless. They had been waiting for over an hour for the humans to arrive, and they began eyeing the pretty yellow meadow flowers. "Couldn't we ..." began Fluzz, "... I mean it seems stupid to sit around doing nothing ... couldn't we collect some nectar while we wait?" Guzz had been pacing but stopped to consider. After a moment she shook her antennae from side to side. "No no no ... please don't. Then you'll want to return to the hive and that's when they'll come." "Why can't they meet us at the hive? They could be welcomed by the queen." "They don't care about the queen. Anyway, the hive makes them nervous, I think. Th