“Surely you liked something about Father,” said Ann. Her mother laughed. “He was an #unalloyed bore; had no common sense nor sense of humor. In bed he was necrophilic.” “Mother! Why did you marry him?” “Two reasons: he was rich and—he was there.” #vss365

The day is done, the sun sinks to his rest. It’s too soon for the moon to start her shift. Some go home and safely lock their doors; others venture out in #eventide to stroll the undark streets. I await the hour of the bat; I only stalk my prey in night’s black heart. #vss365

Where does the #lion sleep tonight?” asks Dad. “In the jungle,” says Mom. “The mighty jungle?” asks Dad. Mom nods. “And the kids?” “Same place.” Dad frowns. “Is that safe?” “Yes,” says Mom. “I fed the kids already.” Dad said, “ A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh…” #vss365

It’s late, phone’s dead, don’t know where I am. Taxi pulls up. I’m like, cool, man. “Am I glad to see you,” I say. “I bet.” “It’s nuts but I forget where I’m going.” “No worries. I’ll get you there. I’m a #psychopomp.” “That’s cool. We all got our problems.” She laughs. #vss365

I no longer sleep at night, take #cat naps in the day. I dream of chasing birds, groom my silky fur. Lie in sunlight on the rug, stretch my limber limbs. Play with toys, eat a snack, snuggle with mistress dear. And never tremble in the night scared sick by human dreams. #vss365

Darla was a tough cookie, been around the block; gone to the school of hard knocks; knew the ropes; wasn’t born yesterday; had a— “Hey,” she said, “what you #fishing for?” “What you mean?” “I can read you like a book,” she said. I couldn’t answer. I was out of idioms. #vss365

For her Royal #Investiture as Queen Supreme of Bedlam, Mab sat on her Porcelain Throne, portal to the Sacred Space open so that all may see. Sir Thorazine led the company: some could fly, speak in tongues, walk through walls, or disappear. O, brave new world of lunacy! #vss365

Storms whip the ocean wild, make it a raging beast, each wave a towering open maw, #seafoam speckled on its lips, like spittle of the raving mad. I in my small and fragile boat cling to the shredded sail. Let me drown if it must be; I’ll not beg help from gods unknown! #vss365

God’s maintenance crew was overworked with fix-ups on the world. Angelic workers Walt and Liz patched and repaired eternally. “He used such shit materials,” “Half-assed was his shoddy work,” they groused. God, of course, was listening. They #hammer now hot bolts in Hell. #vss365

Old Sam was desperate to escape. He stole a rope from the prison shop to #loop around the bars on the window in his cell. He pulled with all his strength. The bars did not budge, but the whole wall fell in on him and crushed him dead. He was free at last. #vss365

One day, all the #water in the village turned to wine. The river was wine; wine was in the wells; it rained wine. The priest proclaimed it was a miracle and all should rejoice—and sold bottles of holy water at exorbitant prices or gave in exchange for sexual favors. #vss365

Amid all my suffering, days and nights of fear, I struggle in a web of spiders crawling on my brain. I see things that aren’t there, hear voiceless voices in my head, lost within a mind gone mad. But #sing to me your song of love and I will count myself well blessed. #vss365

#Blind and deaf, Ed lived with aid of his dog Rex, who also was stone deaf and blind. Distracted not by sight or sound, Ed had uncanny sense of touch, Rex super heightened sense of smell and so lived in a wondrous world of feel and scent beyond imagining—and rejoiced. #vss365

My grave’s on a river #bank amid the peaceful song of birds. Still I hear the sirens blare, play on the crowded streets, smell the heavy auto fumes, buy candy at the candy store, smoke on roofs with pigeon coops, momma calling out my name …the dreams of a dead city boy. #vss365

After Will’s untimely death, Joy wandered through her arid life, under dark and hopeless sun that burned and froze her all at once, through the endless day and night. Grief became a part of her, dry pumped her heavy bloodless heart and #sand ran through her brittle veins. #vss365

Mother was always taking my things. “Where’s my #pen, Mother?” I asked. “In your father’s eye,” said she. “Oh for God’s sake! Why on earth would you do that?” “It was handy,” said she. “But it’s my favorite pen.” “It will be fine. Just wash off the vitreous.” #vss365

“After all these years, you #fascinate me still. All intriguing, entertaining, fount of joy, sole object of my love, so loved by you. One mind, one heart, one soul we’ll always be!” Joel kissed the old cracked mirror in his room, cut his lip, and bled narcissistically. #vss365

When all is hopeless, do not give up hope. In darkest dark don’t stop, still stumble on. Amid the deafening din cry out defiantly. Thought your heart be battered, do not let it break. The #tempest in the blood must fiercely rage and even in despair beat down defeat. #vss365

“This sickly peace and days of dull accord #frustrate the lively tempers of true men, drain the vital passions of their blood and spilling of their seed in worthless girls. Come, oh war!” Thus spoke young Buck who when the battle came died of an arrow in his fleeing back. #vss365

They stood the three upon the cliff, Sarah and her children, gave to her a choice: “Fling one down, you and the other we’ll set free!” Sarah did not #waver. She held them tight, leapt into the void, sprung a pair of shinning wings and flew them far away. The men cried out and died of fright. #vss365

I to the crowd: “Let not our differences #divide us; or the cow jump over the moon. Nor the little dog laugh to see such sport. Shall the dish run away with the spoon?” I paused dramatically. “Oh, the cat and the fiddle!” The crowd rose and cheered, “Hey diddle diddle!” #vss365

I’m new here to write and read. I welcome all who do either. 🙏🏻