December 9, 2024

“Ashes to Ashes” by Brian O’Dea

“Ashes to Ashes” by Brian O’Dea

*Featured image courtesy of MiVargof on Pixabay* We start off strong this week with a very unique piece from Brian O’Dea. “Ashes to Ashes” is Brian’s first work on FC, and I sincerely hope he creates another great piece for us to read in the future. Ashley Fetterman   When she checked ‘yes’ on the note I slid into her locker, I knew I’d finally found the feeling all the songs and movies promised. Before Christmas break, we were married behind the swing sets in sacred preteen ritual before our teary eyed classmates. Her blue eyes watered as we swore to one another to always share our snacks, to always sit by one another in assembly, and to never let a teacher, principal, or any power pry our hands apart.  After just one semester of elementary…

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December 3, 2024

Three Poems by Roger Singer

Three Poems by Roger Singer

*Featured image courtesy of Michelle_Raponi on Pixabay* Hello FC readers! We’re coming back from the Thanksgiving holiday with three excellent poems from Roger Singer. Roger excels at writing immersive lines that really captivate the reader. Don’t just take my word for it, have a look below! MIDNIGHT DINER  fogged windows  low lights  strangers in and out  wooden booths  aged vinyl  cigarette stains  on tables edge  unmatched silverware  yesterday’s coffee  paper towel napkins  ketchup fingerprints  on the menu  the waitress  torn hairnet  stained apron  name tag  upside down  it’s a harbor  for the lost  and alone  MOTEL ROOM #13  the key turned  to the right  the door knob  to the left  a strong aroma  walked slowly  out the door  of the unkept room  shattered sunlight  coursed through  a torn curtain  the only window  bandaged with  black…

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December 1, 2024

Does Not Want the Hill to Die

Does Not Want the Hill to Die

Featured Image photo courtesy of Mandana-r at en.wikipedia A Short Story by Fereshteh Rostami We’re pleased to introduce a new voice from Iran to our international Coffee Club membership. Fereshteh Rostami’s native language is Persian, but she wrote this transcendent story in English . . . with a little editorial help from her husband. “Does Not Want the Hill to Die” is a very contemporary narrative, yet one which explores some of the oldest and most fundamental issues humans confront: the nature of life, the delicacy of our relationships with other people, and our responsibility to the land on which we live. Does Not Want the Hill to Die Forestgirl knows that she is gnawed bit by bit; not just her, everything, from the time she was a little girl, she knew. That time things…

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November 19, 2024

Five Poems by James Cole

Five Poems by James Cole

*Featured Image courtesy of Aaron Burden on Unsplash.com* This week we have James Cole in his first appearance on FC. James combines his unique style with clever and thoughtful word play. We hope to see more of his work in the future! What would you wonder if wondering was free?  What would you wonder if wondering was free?  Would you wander in widdershins with stark jubilee?  Would you invest in smart rhetoric and declare no designs,  and make certain statements your heart undermines?  If wonder was easy and you could spare its expense  would you wonder like Arp and eschew common sense?  If wonder went on sale with a bright yellow tag  could you wonder like bread in a shelf-stable bag?  If you wondered with warranty and budgeted first  would you save your receipts and…

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November 3, 2024

COUNTRY, CURATORS & CONSTABLE: Political Thoughts & the Fitzwilliam Museum – By Steve Sangapore

COUNTRY, CURATORS & CONSTABLE: Political Thoughts & the Fitzwilliam Museum – By Steve Sangapore

Hampstead Heath | John Constable | 1820 | On Display at the Fitzwilliam Museum Steve Sangapore was recently featured on FC not too long ago, but with Election Day on the horizon for Americans, we felt like we needed to share this excellent piece as well. Like all of Steve’s previous pieces, he sparks a very insightful discussion on an incredibly complex topic. Take a look, and remember to vote if you haven’t already! I am a firm believer in the fundamental message of Dr. Martin Luther King. An individual’s character is the true measure of a human being, not our superficial branding that is a matter of the universe’s roll-of-dice like ethnicity, gender or place of birth. Our virtue, character and morality are what we have the power and freedom to control. Equally, I…

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