Gates of Heaven

The wrought iron hung on two hinges between two posts without a fence, just a gate set at the entrance of a garden to which he had come as a stranger in need of comfort, any comfort, but a glass of water would do, with or without the glass. “May I help you?” she asked.…

Tango

“I find in life we get what we need most when we need it most.” Julie – The Tango Room   1 It proved difficult to find. Three times I passed on foot before the door appeared set back surrounded by an ivy covered wall. Entering, I beheld an angel. 2 “We try to decorate,”…

What If

“I wonder what it would be if you wrote it this week?” she wrote in her journal, the words hot and fast from last week’s escapade a few pages back now, safely buried in the streaming elements of the new week, new faces, old ideas, new intentions, after work meditations and milieu from a dozen…

Reverie

There are many realities. Dreams are one of them. Fantasies are another. I sit here looking at an empty bed and I wonder. “Will she and I ever occupy this space together? Will all the combinations of great locks upon time and space and other lives give way and open for this time and this…

Beauty and the Beast

“It’s taken,” she said. “What is?” he asked. “The title,” she said. “It’s been taken.” “I don’t care,” he said. “What do you think?” “I think you better ask yourself if that’s the smartest idea you ever had before you go asking me.” She stood at the bar, a very over the hill woman with…

The DDD

DDD originally meant Dead Dead Dead. I dwelt on defeat, depression and despair. Those made me sick. I determined DDD must stand for any three better words beginning with the same letter in any order. It’s my choice.   Dignified   At the senior prom I took wine, a red rose and two stemmed glasses from…

Recitative

Recitative

This piece is introduction to The Shady Grove, based on my experience as a resident of the trailer park by the same name in Van Nuys, California. I lived with the gypsies. I fought with the Philistines. I lived with them three years, seven months and twenty-eight days. They taught me a lot. John

Lady Victoria

The Shady Grove

It’s a wonderful place to live, but if you’re not poor they won’t let you in. JEF   Happy Ending Our wedding took place on a brilliant day in May beside the statue of a black angel I bought for the table outside my Southern California door where the weather is perfect. There’s another memento from that time,…