A Summer Inquisition

A Summer Inquisition

Photo: “view along Campbell Avenue in Roanoke, Virginia” by Kipp Teague. License: CC BY-NC 2.0 In the Rusted Downtown, an Auntielooks for a spot to park. It is confusing—the Laws of Space: paying to place a Metal Pieceon a Monopoly Board: The City Grid....
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Sea?

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Sea?

Photo: “Hollins University” by Jason Wagner. License: CC BY-NC 2.0 IAcross from my new university, thereis a chicken, or rather, a statue of one,its tail and wings shaped like flames,painted black like it’s racing to go somewhere.But the exhaust is burnt, its feet...
The Meter’s Jammed, So I Left You Some Quarters

The Meter’s Jammed, So I Left You Some Quarters

Photo by Monica Louzon People hurry out of your way when you’re a meter maid. I should know — I’ve been one in Cape May for eleven years. They’re always running to add quarters to expiring meters or scurrying away, hoping they won’t catch your...
Dragon Driving the T

Dragon Driving the T

Photo by Fletcher6 via Wikimedia Commons license CC BY-SA 3.0 Zuke the aquamarine dragon had been a train conductor for the T since 1889. Since the dragon couldn’t fly via levitation or wings, the train was the next option. In his younger years, Zuke loved to travel...
A Familiar Frottoir

A Familiar Frottoir

A different kind of sunlight that day—the day Bisque sat out on the stoop, shucking pistachios and the gleam of the air settled in on his face, casting half a shadow, a shadow full of cracked thoughts and known uncertainties. The day itself sounded like a broken...
Ash Wednesday at Grand Central Station

Ash Wednesday at Grand Central Station

Photo by Jakub Hałun, CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED The comparison began when the doctors recommended Mike’s mom take experimental drugs to defeat her disease. At the time Mike had been reading about the eastern front during World War Two. So, after the drugs failed, it seemed...