My cellular phone vibrated on the table in front of me. It was a text message from Mom. She wanted me to pick up her sequined dress from the dry cleaner. She was at the hairdresser, and the cleaner would be closed in the next 20 minutes. She did not have enough time to get …
I stood in the courtroom as Judge Jacobs decided my future. My freedom was in his big hand that held the gavel. It was the first time I had been in front of a judge. I had been in front of my judge mother, my judge teachers, and my judge friends. They all decided at …
Listen To What Happened Why I Nearly Went To Prison. Read More »
My brother and I were inseparable. I was one year younger than him. But we grew up like twins. I told my mother to cut my hair short, and I wore jeans and t-shirts all the time, sometimes I wore my brother’s shirts. You could say that I became a “tom boy.” We liked the …
Mrs. Beecher has been sick for a while now but turned for the worst. The news around town was that she was diagnosed with cancer. It was a pity she was alone in that old house. She had no children, and she became a widow four years ago after her husband died mysteriously. She started …
The Cats On Patrol Around The House On The Corner. Read More »
It all happened when I was 22 years old. I had finished college with my degree in accounting and decided to live on my own. My parents were against it. But, I reminded them that for four years, I was away from them. Eventually, I convinced them to let me live my life and be …
How I Fell in Love With My “Doggone” Dance Teacher.🐶💑 Read More »
The man in the window stood on his patio waiting for me. His face lit up with a broad smile when my car came to a stop by his gate. He hurried down the steps. “Good morning, good morning,” I said. “I finally get a good look at you,” he said as he bent his …
Every morning I drove on this street to see if I would glimpse [The Man in the Window]. I haven’t seen him for over a year, and this bothers me because he had become a familiar face, and I know that he looked forward to seeing me too. The red SUV he owned gave me …
We often use the term Black and White to describe ourselves, but those are the two blandest colors in the crayon box. Sam Adams, a comedian on Dry Bar Comedy, captured the essence of race and color in a way that makes me laugh out aloud. I laughed so hard while watching Sam’s sketch on True …
Does it really matter if you are Black or White? Read More »
It was Friday and payday🤑. My team and I decided to treat ourselves and order lunch. We had menus from Chinese, American, Italian, and the Caribbean cuisines. After minutes of elimination, we all decide to order from American cuisine. The colored menu enticed us with its array of delicacies and fruit smoothies. It was difficult …
I have all right to talk about this 🥤. Wouldn’t you? Read More »
It was dusk, and I was on my way home. I walked towards a group of people who were in a heated discussion. Their voices were loud, and their hands rebuked others as they spoke. As soon as I got to them, they stopped talking, and a man stepped out in front of me. He …
She interpolated me in a predicament where I felt my life was in danger. Read More »
I was cleaning up my house when my houseguest, who had just moved in with me, decided to help me clean up. We had just finished cleaning the living room then moved to the back room where he sleeps; it was a mess. There was carpet on the floor, and there were boxes stacked up …
The Houseguest Who Released Unexpected Terror Into Her Home. Read More »
BRIANA tiptoed to the room where the light emitted from the television played dodgeball with the darkness. Just like a cocooned caterpillar, the figure tethered at the edge of the bed where it waited for the day to emerge. It has been a week since he moved in and the longest he’d been away from …
I am tired. I need a break. I need help. Day in and day out, you have the same schedule. You wake up early and go to bed late. When do you get to be you? When do you get to do the things you love to do? Today I was on a Zoom call …
Who takes care of you while you are taking care of him? Read More »
In our era where social media has taken over our lives, we seemed to forget the joys of receiving a love note or a card in the mail on Valentine’s Day. We forget the feeling of receiving a Valentine’s note from a secret admirer. Let me take you back to the days, to that love …
Later, I’ll pretend to be your favorite dessert!😋 Read More »
June’s eyes were closed, but she could not fall asleep. Although the soothing sound of the ocean waves that emitted from the small battery-powered machine her mother gave her echoed softly around the room, sleep eluded her another night. She hadn’t been able to experience a restful sleep for days, and she was so tired. …
What caused June’s happiness during the day to disappear when night falls? Read More »
Anna woke up shivering with beads of sweat that formed on her achy forehead. Her cheek stuck to the crumpled silk pillowcase, which left impressions of restless sleep. Although it was midday, the room was dark. The blackout curtains created a haven from the outside world but not from the repeated dreams she had been …
Folic Acid is synonymous with prenatal pregnancy. As soon as a woman is confirmed pregnant, her obstetrician prescribes her doses of Folic Acid to ensure the start of a healthy pregnancy. Folic Acid, also known as Folate, also known as Vitamin B9, is essential in producing healthy red blood cells, which transports oxygen throughout the …
Luap walked into the kitchen and placed the kettle on the stove. His belly growled. Although it was past 10 o’clock, he hadn’t eaten anything yet. He opened the refrigerator, and the two liters of soda was the only contents it housed. He slammed the door shut. What was he going to eat? He got laid off …
The man who invested his money in a mirage that caused him to go broke. Read More »
You treat your NEW with great care and pride and you expect others to respect your new “something” as you do. So, for 2021, create your new experiences with excitement and appreciation for life. NEW means: Never being used Invention Resolution Birth Beginnings First time Promise Discovery Come into existence Today, January 1st, 2021; I …
Norah came into the room, and Larry paused the recorder. She informed Sabrina that the tests they ran came back negative and that she will get discharged soon. Sabrina was not happy with the news. How could she go back to a murder scene? How will she ever call that place home again? Someone came …
This was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives; Evets and Siri boarded the small airplane to their destination wedding in the town of Egnarg where she grew up. Ever since she was a little girl, she dreamt about getting married in the rustic Catholic Church that sat prominently on the hill on …
Her fiancée, her best friend, and the red sports car. Read More »
He stood by the front door of his house watching in defeat as the leaves he so despised geared him as they stuck to the pavement with the raindrops acting as a natural adhesive. I can imagine in his thoughts he wished it would stop raining so he could sweep them away. I walked through …
Person #1 – “I am sorry,” he said as the dried leave danced across the square concrete as if on a dance floor. The broom cleared a path with each sweep. “Good morning,” he said. I looked up from my phone at him. “Good morning,” I respond as I continued on. Person#2 – “Hey!” What …
I sat comfortably at the bus stop reading a magazine. The seat was made for two but because of COVID-19 and the social distancing regulations, the other riders stood at a distance. All engrossed in my favorite section of the magazine, I felt a thud. I looked up to see a white young lady sitting …
Larry stopped the recorder and restarted it. “We received many 911 calls last night in regards to this same incident. I was one of the first detectives on the scene. In the courtyard, there were residents congregated outside in small groups talking about what they thought happened. It was like any other scene until I …
By mailing in an absentee ballot In-person at a place set up for early voting before Election Day In-person at a polling place on Election Day I will not vote this year I Don’t Know / No Opinion Number 3 for me. Ok, I said it!
My daughter and I were walking home from a friend’s house when we came upon a block party. There were a lot of people there on the street somewhere in Yonkers. I held my daughter’s hand and eased through the crowd. “Excuse me! Sorry! Excuse me!” I called out as we walked by. Then we …
He grabbed me thinking I would accept his professed love. Read More »
Nadine and I took a taxi up to Pell River. I do not remember where we were going and for what reason. However, when we got to Bump, we got out of the car and decided to turn back. We ran down the hill until we got to where Miss May May used to live, …
October 17, 2020. I didn’t know where I was, but somehow I was at a bus stop waiting to go somewhere. A red SUV pulled up at my feet, and the tinted glass rolled down. It was a black lady with the kindest trustworthy facial demeanor. She asked if I wanted a ride because she …
I Hitchhiked a ride from an Undercover Princess. Read More »
Although Sabrina was curious to get the information, she was also afraid to hear the answer. The sound of a gunshot and the thought of it swiftly taking the breath of a life away caused her to faint. The reality hit her that Carlos might be dead, and it was all her fault.
A bright light danced across the lens of Sabrina’s eyes. She gazed without blinking. She heard a voice called her name, “Sabrina!” The beam got more intense like a vehicle’s headlight in the darkest night headed towards her. She screamed and oscillated her arms in defense. “Sabrina! Sabrina! It is okay,” a soothing voice echoed. …
It was late afternoon as the fall sun sets beyond the trees; I swept the front stoop on my home. A middle-aged man wearing worn clothes carrying a red bag approached me. Behind his mask, he mumbled something that I could not understand. What was he saying? I listened keenly to make out his words. …
Where will I sleep? I muttered to myself as I walked back to my room. There were no other bedrooms available. How can she employ live-in workers and not provide us with a comfortable bedroom? This set-up was not right at all. Mrs. Nagy was all about money and no honey. She hired us from outside …
I Left My Spacious Bedroom To Sleep In A Stranger’s Closet. Read More »
“Well, First, I was told that I would get paid two thousand dollars per month. Now you are telling me fifteen hundred dollars. How is that?” “You do not have any experience. If I see where you have grasped the concept and is doing a good job, I will give you two hundred dollars …
I Left My Spacious Bedroom To Sleep In A Stranger’s Closet. Read More »
I went into the bedroom where my suitcase was to get ready for bed. I asked Carmen where her room was, and she laughed. “Bedroom? I do not have a bedroom,” she answered. “Where do you sleep?” I asked her. If not a bedroom, probably she used a blown-up mattress as I did in Florida. …
I Left My Spacious Bedroom To Sleep In A Stranger’s Closet. Read More »
After the unexpected delay with the connecting flight, I was finally in Houston. I did not have to go through the routine of customs because this was a domestic flight. I was allowed into the country by the Florida Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. I grabbed my suitcase and walked toward the door for …
I Left My Spacious Bedroom To Sleep In A Stranger’s Closet. Read More »
My heart was pounding in my chest. There I was in a stranger’s house, and nobody knew where I was. Although I had messengered my mother to tell her that I had landed, I did not tell her what hotel I would be staying upon arrival because I was not privy to the name. I …
I Left My Spacious Bedroom To Sleep In A Stranger’s Closet. Read More »
“Oh, no! Mommy, I left the expired passport that had the visa in it. What am I going to do?” I was panicking and begun pacing around my suitcase. It was 7:23 a.m., and boarding would start at 9:20. “Does that mean you will not go to America today?” Junior asked. “Not now, Junior, I’m …
I Left My Spacious Bedroom To Sleep In A Stranger’s Closet. Read More »
I called Sheila and inquired about the where and when. She told me that the job was in Texas, but I should book the plane ticket to Florida, and the agency would purchase my ticket from Florida to Houston, Texas. I would then take a taxi and go to a hotel for one night and …
I Left My Spacious Bedroom To Sleep In A Stranger’s Closet. Read More »
It was a beautiful Sunday evening, and my mother and I had just walked into the house from church. The pastor preached a sermon about loving thy neighbor as thy self. My mood was of a blessed child who believed that once there is life, there is hope. I kicked off the high heels I …
Left My Spacious Bedroom And Slept In A Stranger’s Closet. Read More »
When my grandma gave me “the look”, I knew I was doing something that she disapproved of. I am not saying that what I was doing was usually wrong; it was rather something I was doing at the wrong time. The “look” doesn’t work on every child. Some children are defiant and pushed their parent/guardian …
Growing up with my grandma, she instilled in me many values, etiquettes, and morals which I constantly revert to without thoughts. Do not, wear your shoes in the house. Wash your hands as soon as you get into the house. Do not sit on the bed with your street clothes on. Do not talk with …
I was tending to my last pumpkin vine when I walked in on these two lovebugs. I had intruded on their intimate moment. They stood still as if not to be noticed. But I snapped this picture before they released their bond and scurried away. What kind of bug are they? My research concluded that …
In a single file, they marched down to the end of the train cart where I sat. Nine of them, all white. I counted.two ladies and seven men. They were all dressed in black polor shirts, khaki pants , black boots, and backpacks. In my thoughts I am wondering, where are they all going congregating …
Slide for me meant slippery. Slide for me meant fun. Slide for me meant panic. Slide for me meant pain. Today, I experienced another Slide…this. I accompanied my friend to the health food store, but waited in the car as she went in to get her regular drink. She came back with a brown paperbag. …
A fear overcame her as she dressed. Carlos’s life was in danger because of her. She ran outside to her neighbor’s door and banged on it. The intruder was there for her.
Her heart thumped with excitement when he reached behind and unsnapped the hook of the lace bra that accentuated her size 36D.
Sabrina led Carlos into her sanctuary and locked the door.
“Okay! Okay! I will tell you,” Sabrina surrendered her silence to Carlos’s nudge to divulge her thoughts to words. “It happened last Saturday before I left your shop. I called you to tell you that I was leaving to go to lunch with my friend, and when you didn’t answer, I knocked on the door. …
The touch sent electrified sparks all over Sabrina’s skin. The neurons transmitted information throughout her body, caused shivers of excitement and butterfly fluttered stomach.
What Sabrina saw, taunted her every night. There was only one way to get that vision out of her thoughts. She decided to call Carlos and figure out a way to meet with him to talk. She wrote a text hi but refused to hit the send button. What if he didn’t respond? She was a little …
Sabrina knocked on the door to let Carlos know that she was leaving. He did not respond to the knock, so she opened the door and peeked in and what she saw shocked her.
Poetic Form: ae freislighe An Irish quatrain (four-line stanza) form with multiple-syllable end rhymes. Begin and end the poem with the same word, syllable, or line. Blackbirds fly in confusion. Chirping, I hear them calling. Blackbirds land at location. Chirping, I hear them talking. A bird on fence, mesmerize. I sit there without moving. Mental notes I …
Motto: Restores to Intended Use.
Sabrina inhaled deep breaths of hope and exhaled the carbonated air of despair, and it blew away behind her like the pollution emitted from her car.
Sabrina got dressed in jeans and a blouse she manipulate off the shoulders as low as she dared.
“No more text,” Carlos said. It was Sabrina’s only form of communication where Carlos could read and see her words and her thoughts because he was not accepting her calls. Why? She asked herself. Maybe she was making it harder for him to make a decision and she was complicating things with her pitiful texts. …
Bonjour! J’apprends à parler français. The French assignment came in this morning. I know a few words and statements, but not enough to assist my daughter with her work. So, Google became my handy translator; I dove right into my appointed duty. Her homeroom teacher showed up once per week on Zoom for a thirty …
Violets are not blue.They are wild and living free.Enjoying the rain. This is a picture of wild violet growing along the fence. Every year I pull them up, but they kept on growing. What are they good for? Do you know? Comment below your thoughts.
Upon hearing that, she spun around. I stood there thinking, this was gonna be juicy; this was gonna be dramatic. There was a small audience now gathered waiting for the show of the security’s force then…
Flourish by fence.
Uproot me, invasive weed
The star lives in you.
Heavenly Beauty
Butterflies I see,Summertime around the bendI want to be free! Ok, I said it!
Do not enter; I am closed to visitors.
This exhibit is under construction
To rejuvenate a predetermined malfunction
My shadow is always with me
It defends my body like its property
His lips became as red as a cherry
When he bit on it too hard.
For my daughter’s birthday celebration last night, I ordered to medium-sized pizzas and an order of chicken wings. After thirty-five minutes, my phone rang. It was a male voice with a heavy accent. He told me that he was outside with my delivery. I did not know how much tip to give him because they …
She sits in the waiting area Reading a magazine She is such a beautiful woman And she looks just like me. Oh no, what am I thinking This couldn’t be ‘Cause the lady running the foster care Said my mom died when I was three. Her name is Monica I know that for a fact …
It wasn’t my time. I wasn’t ready. I was dressed for work but had an early appointment with my doctor. We sat together in the waiting room with two other couples when the doctor’s assistant called my name. I got up and followed her into the examination room. The glass window overlooked the train station …
Tears like raindrops – PAINThe sun will come out tomorrow.Pain radiates like ripples out – DELUSIONSOpen up your heart. Delusions like smoked bees – STUNNEDFly me to the moon far away from hereStunned like a zap of electric surge – ANGRYIt only takes a spark. Angry like a raging bull – REVENGETake my hand trust …
They say the grass is greenerOn the other side,Who made that accusation?Who told such a lie? I’ve been thereI know that it is not true,‘Cause the further I got away from the side I was onThe greener it became too. I had a familyLove and commitmentBut, I was enticedBy another man’s attachmentsHe came with gifts, …
Hello, I’m here by the gate, okay I’ll waitDaddy! Daddy! You’re here, great!Masked face, gloved hands, giving no hugsHey guys! The sound of his voice the jitterbugsSocial distancing could not be hadTwo little children excited to see their dad. Daddy! Daddy! What did you bring for me?They were excited as could be.The gate swung in, …
In my slumber last night, I saw Mama.She was wearing my favorite midi dress,The one I brought to her from America.I felt overjoyed with this encounterBecause my last picture was of her in a coma. She was short; bow legs were her insigniaWhich I inherited from her those curved tibias.I walked forward to hug her, …
I’ll be with you all the way he says As his grip tightens and Smile escapes his tensed face One check, two check, up and away Femininity welcomes without dismay. I’ll be with you all the way he says As the beginning of life Two emerged and became one Two, three this shouldn’t be me …
An only child with no competition Go to school, learn the rules were their plan Be free with no defiant Curiosity, trial and error, and being resilient. One, two, three, four years a success Open up world, open doors, here comes the graduate I’ll do some travelling, following my plan Time to become an independent …
Bruises adorn her body Tears run down her cheeks As she begs him, please stop But, he looks at her and shrieks. His breath reeks with liquor His eyes were bloodshot He utters word of hatred As he slaps her across the back. She crouches in the corner Wondering when this is going to stop …
He touched me there Told me not to say a thing Shut your mouth and do as you are told Threatened, I silenced myself, ruined. Silence and loneliness were my companions I couldn’t tell my friends, family, or anyone My grades dropped and sadness set in I used drawings and clues to drop hints. Do …
My inner core is broken What should I do? He is going to need me To follow him through. I am always by his side But, day by day my inner self hides. A little attention would reveal That I’d shine brighter if he steals, A moment to sharpen my core And disappoint me, no …
Rain pelted the metal gutters, and water gushed down its spouts. It sounded like days when my friends and I used pots and pans to make music. Sometimes we were out of rhythm, but to us, we were the best musicians. I peeked at the clock then pulled the covers over my head. What was …
“What do you have to eat?” Grace asks. Grace is my aunt by my mother’s side of the family. “I have baked chicken and rice and peas,” I answer. We are going on a bus trip with about fifty other people. We are leaving tonight to get to where we are going the next morning. …
“This is the section, Mom!” I looked up from my reading to saw a mother and daughter sauntering into the library room. Mom was tall and wore a black skin fitted dress, patterned stocking, and flat shoes that didn’t compliment her look. I guess after a long day at work, she took off her heels …
Girl, I’m telling you, boy! This COVID-19 saga took my reality to a different level and I’m disoriented. Starting Monday, March 23rd, 2020, it will be our first full day working and learning from home. From 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., I will be working from the comfort of my room; and my daughter will …
Keisha and a coworker were ordering lunch from an Italian restaurant. She decided that she wanted a slice of white pizza. Carmen called the restaurant to place their orders, but they did not have any white pizza. Keisha was disappointed, and she selected the Chicken Parmesan from the lunch special instead and walked out of …
My cellular phone rang in the office. Oops, I forgot to put it on vibrate. I quickly turned the ring volume down. The caller was my daughter’s school. The time displayed was 9:04 a.m. I dropped her off at school an hour ago, what could have gone wrong? My heart pounded faster in my chest …
The train scheduled to arrive at 8:21 a.m. will be arriving ten minutes late. I heard heavy sighs from the people who were next to me. “Oh, fuck! ” someone exclaimed. I looked around and saw a young woman pacing the platform. She was upset by the announcement, and she vigorously tapped the keys on …
It was the last day of the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, Fat Tuesday, my friends and I walked down Bourbon Street observing and enjoying the rich colorful gaieties of the city. We wore colorful beads of various shapes and sizes around our necks to display our successful catch. Fat Tuesday was the grand …
Today will be sixty degrees with expected rain in the afternoon. The man in the window is nowhere in sight. I look around like a taxi driver trying to pick up a fare. Then, I see him standing by a red truck parked in front of his house. With a quick flick of my finger, …
Let me help you get a headstart on your spring cleaning! This 40 days challenge could drive you to get this done starting with your closet. Check this out! You get to help others in need, which can be emotionally and psychologically satisfying. For those who can benefit from a tax write off, it can …
I remembered this date so vividly. I felt the first stab of pain in my stomach. I felt similar pain before, but this pain was more mysterious. I was nine months pregnant carrying a baby and did not know its gender. I was nervous because it was my first child and even though I heard …
I am awake, but lie snuggled under my warm blanket. It is Saturday, no need for me to rush to do anything for now. I hear the salsa tune I put on my cellular phone to alert me when I receive a text message, playing from its speaker. I do a little jig under the …
He stood on the other side of the street looking out for me. I almost missed him because this wasn’t at our usual meeting spot. He waved so that I could see him, and I pulled over to the curb. I watched him as he hurried across the street with his cane. He wore a …
I was browsing the Internet when I came across a comment that said, “Today, do something thoughtful for someone at random.” I kept thinking about this statement and how I could fulfill this obsessive-compulsive disorder that had manifested inside of me. Since I was premeditating, the deed wouldn’t be random. When I reduced speed to …
The man in the window stood at the curb leaning on his cane. As soon as I pulled to a stop next to him, he moved forward when I rolled down the passenger side window of the car. “Good morning,” I greeted him. “I knew you would come by to brighten up …
It was a partly cloudy morning and the sun peeked out from behind the cumulus clouds that floated beneath the blue sky. The scrawny leafless branches of a tree passed beyond the window of my car as I came to a stop at the brick house with the white fence. A young lady came through …
When my father divorced my mother, it wasn’t entirely a shock. The tension had been simmering for years, but what caught me off guard was who he married next—Marla, the crazy lady from his yoga class. Marla was… different. She had wild, untamed hair and always seemed like she was in the middle of performing …
My father divorced my mom and married this crazy lady Read More »
So many nights, I listened to your muffled cries from the other side of the wall because he hurt you. I wanted to run to rescue you from your miserale situation, but with apprehension, I sunk into the mattress. Like quicksand, it held my body restrained encased like a boa constrictor; I could not move …
“Happy New Year, Pookie!” June looked at the phone in her hand and at the text message from a familiar number; yet it was no longer stored in her contact list. Althought she’d deleted the number from her phone, it was forever stored in the memory bank of her hippocampus. June felt her heart rate …
My phone chimes inside the drawer of the nightstand that stands guard by my bedside. The ancestral sounds of the rhythm of reggae music echoe inside the hollow space creating a sweet vibration to my ears. My eyes flutter; I still exist in the present realm of my conscious reality. I have arrived for another …
What money am I talking about? Who is THEY? How much money? How do I check if I have money I didn’t collect? You know I moved last year to a new address. 😆 Letter returned to sender with no forwarding address. With inflation so high and you’ve spent so much money on those Christmas …
Funds Returned to NY in 2022. Claim YOURS, today! Read More »
Prop up on bed on my fluffy pillows, the dim light from my phone illuminates my face. I aimlessly scroll through the many messages on Nextdoor. Nextdoor is a website where you can become a member of a community. It brings people together where they exchange recommendations and read the latest local news. You can …
“Do not wear black…. wear something colorful,” she said. We were five friends taking a 75 minutes road trip to somewhere fun. The plan was to meet up at 10 a.m. A call came in at 9:50 a.m., inquiring if I had left already. I lied; I was still in my room with my last …
I walked down the sidewalk and a red SUV blocked the path. I cursed the driver under my breath, how inconsiderate of him/her. What if I was using a wheelchair? I would have to cross over to the other side to maneuver such an obstacle. I hope the police see it and issue a ticket. …
I stood at the bus stop minding my own business when I heard a feminine voice, “What time is it?” I looked up to see who was asking and to whom the question was projected. It was a young lady. Her face was sweaty as she stood looking frantically at the bus schedule sign. “I’m …
