100 Word Challenge: "Let's Get Crazy"

I had this boyfriend whose last name had seven consonants. During the day we’d sell engagement rings, gold chains and watches at the mall. At night we danced. “Let’s Go Crazy” was topping the Billboard. We took those Prince words literally.

Once, in a deserted club lot, we got caught twice by the same cop on top of each other (Kissing!) in the passenger seat. Flashing a glaring light in the window he yelled, “Move it!”

These were messy times. I didn’t know what I wanted, or who. But what I remember mostly was he loved to brush my hair.

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Using the word  "Job" as inspiration for a 100 word piece. We could use the word, or it can be implied. Thanks for the prompt, Tara (Thin Spiral Notebook)! It is always fun to participate in your 100 Word Challenge!

It's Monday, April 18th! What Are You Reading (Tax Day Edition)?

Hosted by The Book Date

Since we last discussed books back in February, I really have been reading even though I haven’t told you about it.

What have I finished recently?

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath 

The Pharos Gate by Nick Bantock (the very last in the simply stunning Griffin and Sabine series) 

Valletta78 by Erin Fitzgerald (Yikes!). 

I am sure there have been others, but my feeble brain is blanking.

What am I currently reading, you ask?

I am getting ready to finish a few. Specifically:

Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson, who, by the way, was a finalist over at Literary Hub's Tournament of Literary Sex Writing. Yes! 

Felicity by Mary Oliver. This is my third collection by her, and I have loved each and every one.

Innocents and Others by Dana Spiotta. Here is the description from Goodreads. 

The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith. I am listening to this book, and it is fascinating. Remember the movie? Yeah, ME TOO!!!

What will I read next?

I am heading out of town at the end of this week. I plan to bring two short story collections and one novel. I seem to do better with novels in airports and on planes. Short stories work better, for me, poolside. They are:

What is Not Yours is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi (short stories with a key, actual or symbolic, at the center)

The Tsar of Love and Techno by Anthony Marra (short stories)

The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney (novel about a dysfunctional family fighting over inheritance (isn’t that the way it seems to go?)).

What are you reading these days?

100 Word Challenge: What Hurts the Most?

slapping your face

so hard my skin stings

and yours more

leaving a temporary tattoo

of my fingers on you 

somewhere your cheek

your heart something you feel 

is not my style

so i run to the bus stop

drift off at night

wake up earlier still

penning words that do 

justice equal to the pain

though elusive as dreams

my fingers do the talking

some way they are

the same ones 

that would write the words

to express this palpably

slaps bite a short while

written words singe eternal

you hold your breath

but i won’t be doing either

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The word from Tara of Thin Spiral Notebook was POWER. We can use the word in our piece or use it as inspiration. I have been struggling with how to write down my feelings here. The power of the pen can be wicked, and I am so fearful that I will hurt anyone's feelings by writing what I am truly feeling! Lots going on. Lots to write about. I need to figure out how to put it all into words I can live with.