My Cardboard Balcony

Alone Time by Belinda Roddie I will be exactly where you left me yesterday: Drinking lukewarm tea with the bag still drowning in the ceramic abyss; Reading the same newspaper until the heat of my own fingers melts away the urgency; Ignoring the tinned laughter of sitcom reruns on a television set older than I am, and it has seen some serious shit, my dude; Continually rotating my left ankle like it's an awkward cylindrical planet rotating on an axis that technically violates the laws of physics; Wondering why I can't stop rotating my left ankle like it'll fall off if I stop - just drop, like wet clay; Contemplate mortality and heavily question why I still have Bibles in my house because they provide absolutely no comfort; And finally, checking my phone every ten or so minutes to see if you read my messages, or called me back, or already wrote me a eulogy, or simply disappeared.

Selective Barbarian by Belinda Roddie  Sometimes, I just get mad and hit things. But never people.

No Words by Belinda Roddie I wanted to tell her everything. But my lips froze.

Ticking Clock by Belinda Roddie Doctor Fitzwilliam had only twenty seconds to defuse the bomb.  

by Belinda Roddie The candy corn was alive. And it was most offended that I don't like candy corn. I tried to tell it it tasted like day-old earwax, but it was just not having it, bro. "'Ey, fuck you, dawg," it said to me. "Fuck you. But also, fuck you. And finally, fuck you. Do you know who I am, bitch?" "...a poor excuse for Halloween candy?" " Fuck you." "Look, there are plenty of others that are happy to eat candy corn. I just think it's worse than licking a cat's asshole." "Oh, yeah? You like licking cat's assholes, buddy? Is that what you're sayin'?" "N-no. I used it as a negative alternative." "'Ey, fuck you! Cat asshole licker! Horny pervert cat asshole licking biiiiitch!" "Damn, dude," I said. "What made you such a potty mouth?" "Bitches like you, bro!" "Okay, besides me," I groaned. The candy corn thought about it before respo...

Full Moon Fuzz by Belinda Roddie Don't call me the Wolfman. I just hate shaving, okay?

Another week down. And what a week it was. I observed Yom Kippur. I started rebuilding the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) at the school I work at. I finished my latest full-act play. I collaborated with a SPED teacher to run two PD sessions about adolescent psychology and building healthy social/emotional habits - that was pretty awesome. I participated in an open mic night with OK Zoomer. Arden and I are still house hunting. OK Zoomer's Board of Directors is having its first official meeting on Sunday. I'm building up my costume arsenal because I'm a nerd. I'm already planning to write another short play for funsies. I have lots of grading to do. Also, Trump has COVID-19. California is on fire again. It's Halloween time. How are y'all holding up? Have a great night and a great weekend, everyone.