DRAMATIS PERSONAE Santa Claus: a midwinter icon Hans Muff: a satyr The Boy: a curious lad The Archangel: a herald Befana: an old woman The Reindeer: an animal Chorus: peasants, angels INT. A PARLOR ROOM A boy is seen in a chair, reading a book. BO...
I usually appreciate the winter solstice, because I love the mysterious chilly nights and the warm lights that stave it off from inside houses. Warm glasses of tea while gazing into the dark sky by the fire reflecting on life and love and blessings. But t...
Sappy. That’s exactly what it was. Kyle could feel it as he said it. He knew the absolutely absurd pick up line he was using was probably the most desperate-sounding plea for attention he had ever said. “Hey baby, I heard the Solstice has the longest nigh...
After her 20th pill, the water tasted bitter and she gagged involuntarily. She wanted to pee now, having drunk at least three glasses of water. Whether it was the anti-depressants taking effect or just the numbness which had enveloped her; she didn’t know...
December 22, 2015 Ricky breathes deeply as he walks through the park. The air, sweetened by the scent of pine and cooled by the fallen snow, refreshes his lungs and spirit. It’s barely evening, yet it’s already dark out, the sun having slipped below the h...
Connor Mulrooney sauntered into the members-only back room of the North Philly Irish Pub with his usual swagger, grabbed a Guinness and settled into a seat that may as well have held a Reserved sign. His chair, the one he always occupied during their wee...
Standing here looking out at the frozen approaches to the islands in the channel nearby and it seems that most of my days lately have blended into a single theme. Just like that single road I have followed as the days turn into night. With there being tim...
“Are you afraid of the dawn?” she asks, watching him with a half-smile on her face as he scrambles around the room, frantically pulling down the curtains. The new darkness bathes them both in soft candlelight. It smoothes out her angular lines and eases t...
“Momma,” 9-year-old Kaiah asks, “When I'm done grinding the corn, can I go over to Shumana's to visit before dinner?” Manci looks over at her daughter and shakes her head. “No my dear. It's no time for a little girl to be out after dark.” “But why?” was t...
You’re probably wondering where the voices in your head come from. I’m here to set the record straight. I wasn’t always so opinionated, but now I must speak up. Some call me the man in the moon. Well, that’s your easy definition! I’m neither man nor woman...
I stand alone in the quiet early morning nightThe cold December moon, while low, is still brightHer comforting light reveals your face to meI always find you when I look upon her, you seeAs this last autumn breeze kisses my faceI feel your gentle hand upo...
Love and hate, hand in hand, light, the shortest amount todayDarkness, winter coming, daylight ending way too soonDepression, lethargy waiting to set in and get in my waySolstice is a day of pain and hope for me as I await the return of the sun's raysIn t...
The Civil War isn’t over yet. The Crusades begun a thousand years ago have not been won, and when I read about another Drone, another soldier’s suicide, another stone thrown at a women’s head, another prison being built to rid the streets of anyone who mi...
