I scare myself with my own desert places. --Robert Frost As I’m sitting Watching clouds roll The wind punishing My hair, I’m reminded There are winds on Mars, Dust demons Paint the air. Another place Much

Lies don't end relationships the truth does. ― Shannon L. Alder I was vain in my youth—never once experienced rejection. Oh, I might have tasted women’s bitter hatred—but never once knew their indifference.

waiting in the rain and getting soaked, fearing you won’t come but holding hope; you walk down the street it won’t matter that my feet, are cold and wet… because you’re home. Image credit:

I haven't been posting in a while mainly because of frustration with the whole process of uploading pics to my posts. It used to be so easy. I'd simply locate pics and save them to my desktop. Then, I'd

I came to Lancaster to assist on an archaeology dig, not get involved with witches. Emma Manley the local historian invited me and I brought along my assistant Lizzie Willard. But when we met up in The

Damien Moshe contacted me out of the blue. We had been working together at Gobekli Tepe in southeastern Turkey and uncovered stone circles 7,000 years older than Stonehenge. The discovery really upset

The annual Library Technical Services Party was to be held on Saint Patrick’s Day. Being a Murphy, and black Irish, I was doubly blessed—but Carranza was a Covington and reserved English. I figured my

On her forty-seventh Birthday, Emma took a big risk and entered Nursing School. Now, in her fiftieth year, she faced an even bigger challenge—she’d have to put her eighty-seven year old father in a nursing

I’m finally home. I sit on the edge of my bed, peel off my socks and come apart. After the anger comes tears. I’m angry because that’s how I push away feelings. Once the rage is spent, depression returns—

“Is he dead?” I nodded and choked back a sob. Two cops shot in less than a week—this one, just six months back from Iraq and his head exploded by a shotgun blast. “These witnesses are claiming it was a

I didn’t like him or his steely eyes. There was something cruel, hidden behind his genial façade. I know people. I’m a teacher and have to deal with people every day. If anyone knows normal, it’s me—and

We get so much in the habit of wearing disguises before others that we finally appear disguised before ourselves. -- Francois de La Rochefoucauld The corrosive nature of secrets and lies is a common theme

Like the worn, but expensive furniture in my New York Apartment, I had seen better days, but also like the furniture, I had come from quality and that would serve me in the end. As I recall that time,

I’m being followed and it’s got me worried. Louise says I’m paranoid and obsessed, but she’s wrong. There’s a black van out on the street right now. Shhhh! —Don’t talk too loud! I’m tellin’ you, cause

“Am I co-dependent or just lonely? I don’t know—sometimes I think it’s a little of both. Oh wait, there’s that song by Dan Seals—let me turn it up.” The car radio sounded tinny, but that didn’t matter—Marnie

Dampness falls, drips on the roof and darkened gutters, settles on my shirt crumpled on the bed. Dampness falls, and stars are burning; their sultry disks are match heads in the emptiness. © 2017, @cicero.

A Spell to Ward off Wayward Witches Mob of joggers, Murder of crows, Cadre of killers, Knot of toad. Dazzle of zebra, Scull of friars, Den of vipers, Perjury of liars. Quiver of cobra, Kettle of hawk,

Leonard Brice was always right which was another way of saying he was never wrong. This fact irritated his colleagues, annoyed his wife and angered his friends—No, wait, make that alienated his friends.

May the love in your heart overshadow any sorrows, and may you always know with a deep inner certainty, how loved you truly are. ― Jodi Livon While you are sleeping and the moths are busy at the windows,

damaged and broken and unhinged. But so are shooting stars and comets. ― Nikita Gill The suburbs were quiet for a Friday night. It was just after ten and I was reeling in the garden hose and thinking about