Mrs. Peabody smiled over my right shoulder and said, in her genteel old Mrs. Peabody voice, “Why, hello there.”

I didn’t bother to look around. Mrs. Peabody talked to someone over one of my shoulders almost every time I gave her medications. Thing was, there was never anyone there. Not in this dimension, anyway. I...   read more »

He’s waiting for her
For his brothers lady love
A foolish woman

He takes out the cross
The one he made his brother
It was a present

He made it for him
For his little white pet mouse
That stupid white mouse

His brother was proud
Proud that he taught a rodent
To sit like a dog

He fingers the cross
It took him three days to carve
He was never thanked

He never knew why
His brother loved that white mouse
More than he loved him

He’s waiting for her
For another well trained pet
This time he’ll be thanked...   read more »

Demonstrating his skill
In dissecting
Obscene grin spreads
Getting the better of him, he laughs
Each little incision is eternity
No need to rush
Eternity is passing
Silence

Angels weep when he smiles
Loving the curve of his lips
Overjoyed at the statues movement
Yearning to see him smile again
Soon it is past
Into memory
Until he smiles again
Silence...   read more »

He shall thunder in the sky
And his canvas will be flesh
And his paint will be pain
And he will carve his meaning
And he shall see his day

He shall thunder in the sky
And those who would harm him
Will tremble and be silent
And he will do what he pleases
For it pleases him

He shall thunder in the sky
And he will hold his lantern high
He will judge as he sees fit
And his heart will not be eaten
For he sees he is rightous by his own scale

He shall thunder in the sky
And his brother will be brought low
He will triumph
And he will laugh
For he is pleased for it to be so

He shall thunder in the sky
And his eyes will be as fires
So as to light his way
His will is as stone
For he is as stone

He shall thunder in the sky
He shall rumble in the ground
He shall scream with the cyclone
He shall find his honest man
And slay...   read more »

Mr. Preston and Mr. Child shifted uneasily in their chairs. Douglas glanced at the clock whilst Lincoln stared at the door, barely blinking. A nervous atmosphere filled the air. At precisely 10 in the a.m. Diogenes Pendergast walked eloquently through the door. He had on a fresh, crisp suit, with his ginger hair combed perfectly back.

“Good day gentlemen. How are you this morning?”

“Fine, thank you. Shall we get started; Lincoln and I have an appointment right after we are through. I really do regret that we may have to keep it short.” Douglas said to Diogenes in a calm but cautious tone.

“Of course, I’d hate to keep you from your engagements.” Pendergast had a hint of mockery in his voice.

“So,” Lincoln started, “What is the Event that plagues your family’s history?”

“That’s a rather personal and equally touchy subject dear Sirs. Let’s just say it’s more unimaginable than anyone could begin...   read more »

Son, upon this midnight dreary, we did ponder, weak and weary
Over your extremely cheery kind epistolary lore —
While I freely acquiesced to your filial request,
your dear Pater was distressed. To be honest, dear, he swore:
“’Tis some madness here”, he muttered, “tapping at his chamber door!”
Only this, and nothing more.

My resolve grew only stronger; hesitating then no longer,
“Sir,” said I, “now listen! Truly, your attention I implore!
Frequently, despite his station, you bemoaned his isolation.
Grant him, pray, the exultation of new playmates to explore.”
At this point I’d almost swayed him. Just a tiny push before
he’d consent — and nothing more.

Then the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of a purple curtain
did announce that Aloysius had just entered through our door.
“Mother, Father!” rang his cries. “Do you really think this wise?
Who’ll be there to check his vice, on this dark and distant shore?
Can you really let him stay there?” was...   read more »

My Dear Santa,

I happened to become privy to Diogenes’ letter (he asked me how to spell a few words) and just wanted to say that I am very proud of my nephew. His logic is impeccable.

I say give him what he wants, with the exception of the puppy or kitten. Instead, I suggest setting him up with the schoolyard bully (the other one), or your choice of Christian Right televangelist.

I hope you enjoy the cookies and tea I’ll be leaving under the tree for you this year. Also, I hope you appreciate the lighter workload you will have at my abode, as the other members of my family will no longer be requiring gifts. Ever.

Merry Christmas, Santa,
Cornelia Pendergast...   read more »

The Astor Tunnels were deserted. Explosions and floods had wreaked havoc here years before. Silence had since reigned over the tunnels...

Until today.

A low sloshing broke the silence. Most of the water had subsided over the years, filtering out slowly, eroding its rocky captors. The sloshing continued, ripples slowly played out from the figure, dancing about floating skulls and large chunks of cement. The figure came upon an intact pile of skulls; pausing before wading through them as if they were dead leaves.

He — definitely a male — grinned to himself as he came upon a small notebook. It was tucked inside a skull that was stranded upon a rocky ledge, jutting from the icy black water like and iceberg. Long slender fingers reached out, shaking slightly from emotion, to grab the notebook, open it, and begin turning pages, gingerly, lovingly. The notebook had been wet several times, but the ink...   read more »