My Cardboard Balcony

Honeymoon In Honolulu by Belinda Roddie He wore a shark tooth necklace, but she was eyeing his sister at the bar on the beach, watching her stir sunset Mai Tais for a good sunrise. He sported a strong tan, but she liked the scorched red of his sister's hair, and when she served her a drink, all the waves ceased for just a second. It was like percussion stopped, but the music continued (the melody didn't need rhythm on the sand), and once he finally left, she took his sister across the shoreline, where they split a local beer, told stories, then kissed twice before it got dark because they both were scared of their shadows.

How many of you believe that vaccinations harm more than help? And how many of you believe that the Earth is flat? And how many of you are delusional enough to question the moon landing or 9/11? I'm used to conspiracy after conspiracy, and lemme tell y'all, it hurts my head so badly that I debate getting a lobotomy. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to circumnavigate the planet while interviewing Neil Armstrong and simultaneously administering him a tetanus booster.

by Belinda Roddie That whale's being lazy; she's not showing her tail. She'd rather sink all the way down to the bottom of the ocean. She'd rather sleep and snore and store krill in her baleen for another day. She'd prefer not to entertain the stupid pink flesh machines who crowd around her in their little boats, taking pictures and exposing her to social media. She'd rather dream of Mother's Day, of a time when her children could be fed, and they weren't starving as the oceans got hotter. Sure, you may say she's being lazy, but ultimately, wouldn't you rather not put on a show in front of strangers when your belly aches with sad music? This week's prompt was provided by Arden Roddie.

Hear ye, hear ye, friends! Behold: My 400th Introspection! I will say, anxiety remains a friend of mine, and I continue to be haunted by its "persuasive" efforts. But! I will focus on the positive here. I had a blast with my sister and brother-in-law, the latter of which opened my mind more to whiskey than I ever thought possible. That, and the fact that I got to see my first Broadway musical ever was so cathartic and affirming: Who knew that I just needed to see lesbians falling in love and going to prom to feel validated? I am amazed, day by day, by how much my English students love me and appreciate me...and by that same token, several of my Yearbook students do not. I've definitely dealt with some unnecessary sass and "Someone pissed in my cereal" mentality from my staff, and I will say, it does sober me up a bit, considering how I have a confirmed new school to work at. I often wonder if, should I have simply been hired as an English teacher, how succes...

Damn These Hiccups by Belinda Roddie My diaphragm's writing out its will, leaving nothing to me.