My Cardboard Balcony

It has been a fairly relaxing spring break. I've been housesitting for a friend's dog, spending time with my sister and friends, restarting my TV project, and getting some exercise. Nothing like twenty minutes a day on the elliptical machine that the house has, as well as walks with the pooch. Of course, my brain's telling me now how fast the week has gone, even though to me, it's moved as normally as any week, really. But that's what happens, time being a strange thing and all. Now it's just time for me to rest and enjoy the weekend, especially now that my mom's back from her trip to Austin. Honestly, spring break has allowed me to relax and take a few mental breaks to be creative, free, and calm. So not too much deep introspection from me this week. Which, in truth, can be more of a relief than anything else. Writer's Quotation of the Night: The answer to all writing, to any career for that matter, is love. - Ray Bradbury Have a great night ...

Weight by Belinda Roddie What a heavy day it’s been No other word seems to fit it better The sky could collapse under its cotton robes That flutter only slightly as they move The light is not too defined, either – All’s been dim from noon to evening As I’ve waited by the railroad tracks Mangled in rust and southern heat – And all that I see appears to linger In each draw of breath, in a haze On a very clear horizon – Clear but not strong enough To lift the weight that causes my head to spin What a heavy day it’s been

Harold wanted to extend the olive branch to his wife, but she was unwilling to take it. Probably because it was quite literally an olive branch, and she had no use for it. Harold had never been one to understand figures of speech or metaphors, so when his therapist had encouraged the gesture, he had gone to great lengths to find a limb straight from an olive tree. "I don't even like olives," his wife griped as she went back to her separate bed. Harold would have to learn one way or another.

The Newest Villain by Belinda Roddie The newest villain, Jason Evil, was attempting to upstage Viper Victor. The two challenged each other to many petty duels to sort out trivial things, like territory or business mergers as per the blueprints for conquest of each nation (Jason Evil wanted Scotland, but Viper Victor liked Glasgow too much). The hard part was, neither villain truly won each face-off, their weapons choosing to misfire, or their plans thwarted by some bland face of heroism or some dumb law enforcement techniques. So, really, all they did was dick around every passing day.

I was firmly anchored now, my boots practically glued to the floor, as I pushed aside the now empty platter where the entire pizza had lain. Pounds upon pounds of meat, cheese, and bread, and I could feel myself becoming heavier and heavier on the inside. On the outside, however, I was still the same - wiry, almost gaunt. I was trying to nourish myself. I was failing. "Beer?" "Yes," I said. "A pitcher."

Carnation Alley by Belinda Roddie A hobo grows a sunflower patch in Carnation Alley just for me, just for me, and plants the seeds of wishes under a sycamore tree, and the bumblebees all navigate from the garbage pails, where the crust of last night's pizza grows stale, and they hum a song for the guy who got shanked here on Tuesday, under a sycamore tree.

"You're not considering the welfare of the people." "Welfare? Bah! Welfare is for lazy people." "Not the welfare program, you dolt. The people's welfare. Their conditions." The Chancellor was not amused by any of his advisor's words. He reclined back on his green cushioned chair and lit a cigar. "What else would you have me do?" he demanded. "I can't save or cure everyone's suffering." "No," said his advisor, "but you can definitely try a little harder."