Dust Devil is an odd little story. It's no secret I hate (HATE) wind, especially the gritty hot dry wind that blew every single day of my childhood in the Oklahoma panhandle. Grandma June hated it, too, so this story isn't really about her, though she was on my mind when I wrote it. The … Continue reading Dust Devil
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First Impressions
I'm thrilled Funny Pearls chose to feature my nonfic story "First Impressions." This is the true story of Dolores the Raccoon and her ongoing campaign to take over my house. She's a determined little terrorist. Her baby, pictured here, spewed hissing rowling tiger noises the whole time we tried to get him out of our … Continue reading First Impressions
Social Satire: Be Sure
Be Sure is a satirical look at our ridiculous health care system, particularly within long-term care facilities. It's featured today in Unlikely Stories Mark V. News stories about such facilities have been on my radar for several years, ever since my mother spent a few weeks in a skilled nursing unit. Her experience wasn’t great, … Continue reading Social Satire: Be Sure
Guest Writer Marcy: Microprose!
Don’t Say ‘No’ to a Cold Winter’s Night Sweat dries then chills my exposed throat as I return home from a run in the winter dusk. “Not again!” No light shines; another power outage, frigid night. Muscle memory steers me down the hall, into my bedroom. A blast of heat, an odor—sour, putrid, noxious—strikes me. … Continue reading Guest Writer Marcy: Microprose!
Midnight at the Crossroads Diner
I fell in love with Twist in Time Literary Magazine when I read their first issue. Time and history -- what's not to love! I'm not sure the editors could be any cooler; they sent the funniest acceptance letter I've ever seen. I'm thrilled my short story Midnight at the Crossroads Diner is featured in … Continue reading Midnight at the Crossroads Diner
American Ouroboros in Writers Resist
One of my short political satire pieces is included in Writers Resist today. This special issue focuses on gun violence in America. I’m honored to be among this fantastic group of writers on such an important topic. I hope you will take a look: "American Ouroboros." While you’re there, please consider subscribing to their mailing … Continue reading American Ouroboros in Writers Resist
New Story in Enchanted Conversation
The lovely folks at Enchanted Conversation accepted my flash fairy tale "Penny the Poisonmonger: An Origin Story" and it's live today! I love the artwork they chose to illustrate the story, so I'm going to post it everywhere possible. Ha! Lots of people helped shape this story. It began as a prompted assignment in a … Continue reading New Story in Enchanted Conversation
Guest Writer Marcy Returns!
Mom’s Taste The floor tasted like a glob of Mom’s lasagna, the crumbs of her bread, her spill of lemonade, her angry cries, her stomping out the door. I licked it daily, nightly, tasting her return. Marcy Dilworth has been writing forever, but only recently started inviting anyone to witness it. She earned her English degree at … Continue reading Guest Writer Marcy Returns!
The Writer’s Cafe Magazine – ISSUE 16 “Landscape and Maps”
I’m thrilled my flash story “Air So Thick” is included in this Maps & Landscape issue of The Writer’s Cafe Magazine. I’m looking forward to reading all the stories!
Contour Lines
by Peter J. King
………………………………………………………………………………..*****
Reading Maps: Between the Lines
by Peter J. King
- Isotherms
………………………………..the Arctic Circle’s no such thing —
…………………..its border loops and detours ……………….bulges
………………………………………………………………………………(see where the BeringSea’s
………………………………………………………………………………………a magnet, pulling out the
………………………………………………………………………….isotherm like iron filings on the chart)
the northern tree-line gives a clue;
………..it almost marks the line upon the Earth
…………………(though leaves us free to fill in gaps
……………………………………where sea intrudes)
…………………………………………………tracing forest edges
……………………………………………………………scattered larches
……………………………..with their trailing skirts
……………………….the Arctic Circle is a southern latitude
….within the northern hemisphere…………………………. the sun
……………………………………………………………………………..on the horizon
…………………………………………………………………………is constant at the centre
…………………………………………………………and it rises in the middle of the afternoon
…………………………the Arctic Circle is a midnight line
………..and gives a direct view of mountain peaks
…………………..when the…
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Teeth, Hair & Eyes, LLC
My short story “Teeth, Hair & Eyes, LLC” is featured in the April issue of Defenestration. It’s live today! Three oddball characters meet up with a little road devil on a deserted stretch of Idaho highway. Defenestration is a literary magazine dedicated to humor. I love anything dedicated to humor, especially if they agree to … Continue reading Teeth, Hair & Eyes, LLC
