Sleep Issues

Driving elbow into ribs, Patti said, “Quit snoring.” As Bill did not waken, she drilled again. “What hell?” “You’re ruining sleep.” “You don’t sleep,” he said. “Because you always roll around and snort like pig.” “That’s not why.” “Go to guest bedroom.” Bill complied and was soon snoring. Patti stared at dark ceiling and wondered…

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Aching Back

Ignoring lower back pain daily getting sharper, Clyde eased into bed and next morning reached for radio alarm foot away but couldn’t lean that far, couldn’t lean at all, as if concrete encased lower back. Okay, just relax. This will pass. It better. Radio was grinding static. He reached few times before turning onto belly,…

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Ocean View

From patio on highest hill endless ocean rolls green back onto hill. Other way city sits in smog. Damn four story house next door ruins view, owners say. Not bad, I note, three in ravine. Suppose we’re lucky to live here fifty years. Used to be in tract house below.

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Empty Boots

On massive foundation in Budapest park great Hungarian patriots erected me twenty-five feet high in bronze to celebrate seventieth birthday and thank for destroying Nazis. Only few years after I departed imperialists threw steel ropes around neck, burned legs with blow torches, and pulled body down to desecrate face beneath empty boots.

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Water Polo War

After Russians trampled Hungary in fifty-six, victims got better matchup in summer Olympics as Red Army entered water polo pool minus tanks and planes. Reports pool turned red are exaggerated, water only pink as Hungary won this war four zip.

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Trash Can

Old man eased across street to knock on iron security door and was ignored till stepped to bedroom window rapping to force another old man out. Did you pull trash can down street and fill with shingles and nails? Hell no. Then I wonder who. You see anyone? Just those guys on your roof.

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New Toys

As boy Mike fired toy pistol popping smelly row of charred red caps curling out pistol down to feet. He later celebrated new greenie stickem caps small explosive circles placed on striking points of individual toy bullets. Shooting pistol was cool but loading laborious. Now Mike wishes he’d owned toys like young Clyde’s. In particular…

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Alarm Radio

Another tardy, you’re fired, boss told me. Sir, I’ve been both diligent and creative. Alarm radio was problem but I stopped listening to wakeup news which interested too much to get up until fell back asleep. Rock and classical music also soothed return to slumber. Then tried country music, which had hated, but soon loved.…

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Mollycoddling a Terrorist

Those who burned in and jumped from the Twin Towers are confused the U.S. government, self-proclaimed bastion of anti-terrorism, daily strokes enduring terrorist Luis Posades Carriles who in ‘seventies blew Cuban airliner from sky killing everyone and then continued bombing and killing when not selling cocaine and now says sleeps like baby in Miami where…

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Keys to Gate

Must have door key or burglars enter home, deadbolt key or they kick in door, car door key or punks swipe coat, ignition key or thieves drive away, office key or crooks ransack place, cabinet key or employees know business, suitcase key to get out of town, carry-on key to access tranquilizers, and computer password…

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