Short Fiction, Poetry and Classic Book Reviews
Sustained unrewarded effort produces a hope-crushing effect. Years of exposure to it, coupled with an ingrained persistence courtesy of a family motto, had made Victor immune. So it was without the slightest discouragement that he strolled into a corner store following yet another afternoon of not making a sale. He wiped the sweat from his... Continue Reading →
It was a long morning. Victor sweltered beneath the unforgiving country sun as he trekked from house to house failing to sell metronomes. Doors slammed in his face, abuse rang in his ears, and guard dogs chased him off properties. An elderly woman invited him into her home, but no business was conducted: she had... Continue Reading →
"Good sir," said Victor to the owner, "kindly pour a shot of gin." The owner hesitated; Victor nodded to him; the owner relented. The three men watched the potent liquid flow from bottle to shot glass. "Now, Keith," said Victor, "this is a metronome. It keeps time, like a drumbeat. When I set the pendulum... Continue Reading →
Victor clicked open his briefcase and took out a shiny black metronome. He placed it on the bar. The owner leaned in for a closer look, wiggled his finger in his ear then shrugged. "What is it?" he asked. "This, my good fellow, is the finest tempo-keeping device known to man. It has a finer... Continue Reading →
Victor walked with a brisk step and a broad smile, both of which faded in seconds. Though it was only ten in the morning the temperature was already 35° Celsius, and its equivalent in Fahrenheit. Victor glanced up at the sun, which beat down on him like Keith Moon upon a snare drum. He noticed... Continue Reading →
Victor Furbank grew up in a thrifty household. "Waste not, want not," was one of the family mottos, and Victor's father was as stern as a boat's backside when it came to enforcing it. The cost of any excess butter Victor spread on his toast was deducted from his weekly pocket money (which was already... Continue Reading →
Deep in the enchanted forest, nestled in the shimmering glade, was an elf village. Happily, and unbeknown to nearly all the other woodland creatures, the elves went about their daily business. In the morning they picked baskets full of melodious merryberries, then washed them in the sparkling harmony stream. The elves laid the glistening berries... Continue Reading →
Once glory of the fruit bowl, In your youth you were the crowning jewel, But too many times passed over, Withered your rind, embittered your juice. Bananas went before you, Apples, passionfruit and even a pear, And you were left behind, A snack unchosen, moulding in despair. Eyes drawn to your beauty, Now... Continue Reading →
Todd Steinbelch dragged his foot up and over the seven hundred and fifty-fifth—and final—step leading to the Tibetan monastery. He dropped the knapsack from his shoulder and collapsed on the pavement, lying there undisturbed, just like those ancient stones. After catching his breath, Todd sat and viewed the centuries-old spiritual haven; the sight flooded him... Continue Reading →