In night and dark and storm’s sustain in blow, they read by fire and candled light; fire in hearth room’s greatest source but, too, the light of candles in illume and cast onto close and near beside. Wind blew faint in room from draught-stir and current draws of touching warmth and cold. […]
All Posts By: Byron McCoy
Short Story
WINTER CHANGE
Returned to home from fall of snow, door closing fast behind, they rid their gloves and loosened boots then made for high vault room ascending fast the climb of stairs into openness of the space; sky window’s light in dim from ice and snowfall cover, room different in ambiance change as layer by layer, […]
Short Story
WINTER INNOCENCE
She felt as a child once again, levitous and free, as they walked in the open air and fall of winter snow; cold of the flakes rouging in touch and melt of cold and body’s rise-answer of inner warmth to surface painting cheeks and bridge of nose. She held to his hand, each’s […]
Short Story
GOOD WINTER
There were worse things than to be snowed and wintered in, wintered more than snowed as it was sleet and ice that scratched on the wind in blow from west sounding on cabin’s wooden walls and panes of glass and amassed on lawn and bowed bodies of the trees. It was reason that […]
Journal Pages
MORNING GRATITUDES
I begin my morning writing letters. Not knowing what else to write, I start with gratitudes. Last night, my daughter gave me a hug. I didn’t know I needed it—but she did, and she helped me feel loved and better. This morning, in letter, I return the love. All Christmas […]
Journal Pages
GOALS (IF NOT RESOLUTIONS)
Second day’s end to a new year, I’ve yet to make a resolution. Is it laziness? Indifference? Is it necessary? I sit on the porch smoking what’s left of a cigar from yesterday. I’m frugal, and sitting on porch in the winter cool and moisture, it burns better today than day before. Like me, […]
Journal Pages
STORY’S CHANGE (A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT)
“’You like to tell true stories, don’t you?’ he asked, and I answered, ‘Yes, I like to tell stories that are true.’ Then he asked, ‘After you have finished your true stories sometime, why don’t you make up a story and the people to go with it?’ ‘Only then will you understand […]
Journal Pages
QUESTIONS
“Dad, can we go for a ride?” “Dad, can we play catch?” “Dad, can we play ping pong?” “Dad, can we build a fire?” One day, the questions will end. Love him, and them, while they’re still there—and we are wanted.
Journal Pages
SEVENTY-FIVE HARD
New Year’s Day, late morning, my daughter fills a water bottle from kitchen sink. Workout clothes, her hair in a ponytail, “I’m going to get a workout in,” she tells me. “I’m doing Seventy-Five Hard,” she shares on. “Have you ever heard of it?” “I believe I have.” “It’s seventy-five days when […]