Shopping

The bag wasn’t anything special, but it caught her eye. Everything seemed just the slightest bit more attractive than the purse she was carrying - the color seemed to match her dress, the clasps had a bit more sparkle to them, hell, the size seemed like it might accommodate those one or two last minute additions to her day. She basically had no choice other than to enter the shop.

Inside the shop, she exchanged pleasantries with the cashier before settling on the object of her desire. The price, however, became a sticking point. Where the inferior assemblage of cloth and leather that had entered the shop with the woman had only cost a week’s wages not even a month prior, the clearly superior accessory cost three times as much!

A struggle ensued. The woman began to extoll the virtues of her own bag and point out every imaginable flaw in the bag she desired. Once a comprehensive list had been made plain, a suggestion of an equal trade floated between the two women before being swatted down by the cashier.

Jakarta Local Library

Terima Kasih

Those magic words
Can open doors
Wherever they're heard

Confusion and smiles
After traveling miles
Though well guarded
Also well regarded

&

Time to push
Time to go
Another museum
Then one mo'

Byron Bay Library

Remember how to write a poem

Remember how to sit alone

Remember how to rhyme a line

Remember hope to take your time

&

Critical Convo
on reading and writing
Changing the world
Thinking is fighting

Ride's over
Now we're here
Time for coffee
Then for beer

National Library of Indonesia

Elevator
To the top
Our dismay
As it stops
There's no way
We'll go far
With twenty people
In the car

The national monument
Looks insignificant
From the Library's twenty fourth floor
With that point of view
Imagine what we'd do
If only we valued books more

Madman

“Madmen part their hair on the right, you know.”

The statement was issued without the slightest acknowledgement of its target. The young woman who made the statement remained melted into the couch cushions, her eyes affixed to the small screen she held in her hand.

“What in the world are you talking about?” The young man, her brother, touched his hair as if an answer had nested itself there. One hadn’t, so he walked up to his sister’s feet.

She ignored his presence for a few moments, if only to stay in control of the encounter. He loitered, waiting for an answer.

“I’m saying you’re a psycho, Ethan.”

“Because of my hair?”

“As *evinced* by your hair,” she said, looking up to meet his eyes. “Crazy people part on the right.”

Swimmingly

“What’s with the long face?”

“I have a bad feeling about that worm over there.”

“How so?”

“Well, Tommy went for one just like it an hour ago and I haven’t seen him since.”

“That’s so Tommy - he’s probably just pulling your fin.”

“He’s never been gone quite this long.”

“Are you telling me you’re afraid of a worm?”

“Afraid’s not the word.”

“What’s the word then?”

Surf's Up

“Surf’s up dude!”

“What are you, a stereotype?”

“Whaddya mean? Like a Sony?”

“You just said ‘surf’s up, dude’.”

“Well, it is! If we don’t get going, we’ll miss it!”

“Miss the surf?”

“Yeah!”

“How does one miss the surf?”

“Usually at a bar. Just kinda hits you. One minute you’re drinkin’ and the next you know you’re missin’ the surf.”

Lotto Haiku

Drinking Pure Blonde Beer
Been a full day of painting
Ultra low carb end

&

Plinking Star Wars tune
In the cafeteria
Piano Practice

&

Cylons and Toasters
Battlestar Galactica
Will the humans win?

Transfixed

"I swear I couldn't look away!"

"What do you mean 'couldn't'?"

"It had me transfixed! under a spell! Entranced!"

"You mean to say you were completely unable to perform any action other than stare at the object?"

"Precisely."

"Despite your duties?"

"I'm afraid so."

Foretold

"Well, who saw this coming?" one of the trio spoke after a moment's pause. Her companions shared a look and simultaneously shrugged their shoulders.

"Really, really? You two mean to say that we accidentally appeared on a beach that seems perfect for the three of us to take a nice, relaxing holiday? No planning? No intervention? No shenanigans at all?"

"Atty, we knew you'd never allow it, which is why I didn't say anything when Chloe planned it. That said, we're here and it's all in order, so you should just relax."