Byron Bay Library

Remember how to write a poem

Remember how to sit alone

Remember how to rhyme a line

Remember how 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."

The Beast is a Metaphor

"Oh my fucking God - it's coming right at us!"

At that, alarms started blaring throughout the ship. Panic was the order, though a few pushed through the bands of people in order to try to save the lives of everyone onboard.

"Try to stay calm, everyone!" our presumed protagonist commanded. "Make your way to the lifeboats and shelter unless we give the order to launch!"

The command made only the slightest change in the general demeanor. Too busy to be frustrated with the stupidity of the masses, our protagonist - a young woman named Laura, as I've written too many male characters recently - patted her uniform ritually as if some answer to the current predicament were hidden in one of her pockets. Bumped one time too many by the passengers, she pushed, climbed, and shoved her way onto the bridge.