An ongoing fixation upon life, death, and creation and a bunch of other existential folly, includes some inner raging about the effects of aging and prevents my mood from getting very jolly. Yes carolers are singing and the Christmas bells are ringing and some birdies even chirping in the trees. A branch is gently swaying from two squirrels that are playing... but I am also swaying from bad knees! Once taller than six fee...

He loved her enough to let her go, and she loved him enough to come back. Each year, true to her word, she returned to the sea. Although she was grown, he still cautioned against the forces of evil. When she found true love, he accepted him. And when she gave him grandchildren, he delighted in them. Time passed, and the king was near death. “You’ll be queen soon,” he said softly. “I don’t wish to be queen. Please, don’t l...

There was a time I thought that I would live forever Nothing was out of reach The horizon held my hopes and dreams I relished every endeavor.   There was a time The wind trailed through my lion’s mane My roar loud and fierce A bounce in my every step Each link strong within my chain.   There was a time Every challenge was an adventure The thrill of the gamble All or nothing What else was life meant for?   There was a time...

The girls had been getting along pretty well together in El’s room, El playing teacher, Em playing student (they always played the same roles without variance), but then Em had turned rebellious on her teacher and was threatening to not do her assignment until El shared some of her apple. Now they were fighting. John and Alice knew this because they were on the first floor of the house, in the family room, directly below...

Holiday Heart (Eve Gaal) Like a string of Christmas lights your life began with little cards and greetings. Godparents, grandparents and neighbors welcomed you into the world. Holidays and birthdays, added to the delicate string. Propped on your nightstand you enjoyed the funny sayings, smiling characters— Blinking, bursting with joy. You try remembering the old cards you wish you saved. Nostalgic and dog-eared, some work...

I don't wanna go to bed I'm playing the Sims 3 I don't wanna go to bed I'd rather attack a tree. I don't wanna go to school. I'll have to sit and listen! I don't wanna go to school. I'd rather go be christened.I don't wanna do my homework. Why can't I go to bed?I don't wanna do my homework. I'd rather hide my head. I don't wanna go to soccer. I can't play to save my life. I don't wanna go to soccer. I'd rather eat a knife...

I have been encouraged by friends to write this. Some friends said it would be good for me and some said it might help others that are in similar circumstances. I’m not sure about either reason, but these are smart people and I trust them. I hope this doesn't upset anyone. I don’t want to cause distress to any of my friends here on Stories Space. I was concerned this might not be appropriate for this site, but I think tha...

I want to close my eyes Clench them tight to stop the Spill of salt water that aches to rush And fill this hollow void inside of me. The world shifts sideways Life revolves and history repeats Over and over the insanity of it Drives me further inside myself. Where is that breath of air I need so desperately Where is that space? The sunlight fades on my yesterday and Fails to rise on my tomorrow. Were I to dance in the lon...

How can I be my age when in my heart I’m forty and not the man in the mirror with wrinkled skin, white hair growing thin, eyes not as blue as I remember them. How can this be? Why this alarm to realize there’s two of me— the man out there that people see and inside, where it counts, the man who looks at pretty women and wants one on his arm, still wants romance and more, who knows his lust is far from dead, who wants to w...

Want to feel ten years younger? If you’re between forty and eighty-nine years old you can; just use the techniques that follow. (If you’re ninety or older these techniques will not work. Nothing will. Just try not to embarrass everyone by printing this out, smearing it with ketchup and eating it.)- Make a youthful fashion statement by mutilating yourself.Impale your privates! Stick something decorative through your nose o...

the day fades anewhigh moments and banalities recedeevening hours set inthat familiar sharp pain againsadness rulessimple and intense:I adore you,miss you,want youyet you distance,stay away,detach,evadecommitment?I...merely covet your breathnext to mineperhaps, just perhaps,a little while longer.

When we first met your perfect skin felt smooth to my slow touch. I know now that was one small reason why I loved so much. When we first kissed your long black tresses almost touched the ground. Another small joy making you so nice to be around. When we first loved your agile body intertwined with mine. To feel as if we both were one was truly quite divine. The day we wed we smiled and laughed and danced the night away....

They say that wine is best when it has aged, but who are they to say that? What do they know, these experts, about age? What about the grapes, the vines, the sun, the soil, the misty mornings, the eyes that watched the ripening, the fingers that plucked and with their art created what they poured into each bottle as if it were a poem? Perhaps it was the age of the wine maker, who after many years could close his eyes and...

Younger couples twist and turn to try exotic positions. Senior couples try but then wind up at their physicians. Soft young kisses in the morning lead to passionate shrieking. Seniors’ kiss when they wake-up to celebrate no leaking. Visions of a young mate’s body start libidinal fires! Seeing seniors’ bodies invokes visions of spare tires. Younger couples shower and oil to do things that are kinky! It is hard for seniors...

I’m getting older because I haven’t died and wiser because I seldom worry or shake my head at foolishness. I walk much slower now because my legs are stiff and know it makes no sense to hurry. Getting older like the trees I share this land with and the hills where the sun rises to glisten on the water lets me look around and see with sadder gladder eyes-- still blue like the sky but cloudy too-- and so I squint to see the...