“Please, take a seat.” “Where? Which one?” “Either one is fine. Whichever one looks more comfortable.” “Okay. Thanks.” “It’s good to finally meet you, Adam. Put a face to the name. We could have done this over the phone but I like to see the people I work with face to face. At least atContinue reading “The Appointment”
Author Archives: Hank Kirton
American Pagans
Becky had been spending a lot of time in the company of a girl with the antique name, Edna. Edna Rosenberg. Edna “Ravenchild” Rosenberg. “Ravenchild?” “Yeah, we’re all picking pagan names. What do you think?” “I don’t know,” Becky admitted. “I’m supposed to come up with something like that?” “Yeah. We all are.” “Ravenchild?” “Ravenchild.Continue reading “American Pagans”
Table of Contents
I just finished writing the table of contents for my next novel! Now I just have to write the novel! Brainstorming is half the battle!
A Cold Breakfast
I was young once and it lasted a good long mile. Like my grandfather before me. You may have heard of my grandfather if you’re a true crime enthusiast. He became an infamous spree killer way back in 1957. His transition was sudden. In 2003, some talentless hack cobbled together a short documentary on myContinue reading “A Cold Breakfast”
Inspiration
I’m in a different city, sitting in a hotel room. There are six women in the room. They are talking and laughing and drinking wine. The TV is on and music fills the space around us. I sit at a small table, staring at blank pages. The women are purposely ignoring me. They respect my privacy.Continue reading “Inspiration”
Ligature Marks
I was almost strangled to death once. A lying little toad named Oscar Costa tried to garrote me with a length of orange extension cord. My full name at the time of this incident was Emily Brinks. You read that right; I wasn’t given a middle name and at school I was bullied and pickedContinue reading “Ligature Marks”
The Hungry Little Monkey
After many years of guilt and shame over never having written a story about a mail-order monkey, I have finally written a story about a mail-order monkey and the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders. This is what I was meant to be all my life: A man who wrote aContinue reading “The Hungry Little Monkey”
This Poem is the Most!
I knew a girl who saw a ghost She said the ghost was Donny Most I told her Most was most alive She said in time he won’t survive So who’s the ghost you witnessed then? `Twas Donny Most, she said again If he’s alive then can’t you see? You must have seen a wannabe!
The Chatter of Dragonflies
Dr. Penny hung around the Dumpsters behind Cornpone Grocery all day every day that long simmering summer of 1971, recording the scissoring sounds made by the wings of dragonflies as they whizzed past her precise, scientifically-calibrated microphones. She was attempting to test her hypothesis that dragonflies communicate using their wings—composed of sensitive veins and membranes—toContinue reading “The Chatter of Dragonflies”
The Damage of the Moon
Kendra stood there in her lab coat and sloppy shoes, waiting for Josh to say something. Her arms were crossed, an impatient expression on her face. She was missing lunch for this. She was about to yell at his frustrating silence, when he finally announced, “I can feel worms in my prostate.” Kendra leaned backContinue reading “The Damage of the Moon”
Crumbling Asphalt 