Ode to My Father’s Urn

Amid lettered plinths, names call out, Numbers, expiration dates.  Once here, there, and about, Now in boxes sold at high rates.  Benches upon which to sit, Staring at images enamel blazed And plastic flowers never to wilt Resolute against memory’s...

Everybody Counts, Or Nobody Counts

Every year my town holds a contest to see which house has the best Halloween decorations and, let me tell you, some homeowners go absolutely nuts erecting complicated displays ranging from cutesy to downright terrifying. The contest also almost got somebody killed....

Egg City

My daughter had a playdate at a friend’s house, so my wife and I took advantage of our free afternoon and tumbled into bed.  To take a nap.  When we awoke refreshed after our forty-five minute slumber, I said, “Let’s go get a cup of coffee.” Getting into our...

Dark Highway

I was travelling down a dark highway late last night when, just as I reached the exit for the interstate, I saw a body lying in the middle of the road. “Jesus,” I muttered, pulling off to the shoulder.  Steeling myself, I got out of my car and walked over to...

Buried or Burned

I was having breakfast at my local luncheonette when one of the waitresses, a young college student, showed me an example of a tattoo on her phone.  “Which color should I get it in?” she asked, “Black or white?”  I personally don’t care for tattoos and my...