Closed Captions

Intro music, blows out smoke, wood creaks, sound of footsteps, rooster crows, cat meows, opening title music, opening credits, song fades dramatically, fly buzzing, car door opens, door closes, car engine starts, engine revs, zooms, creaks, clanks, squeaks, rolls, door knocks, knocking, door opens, crickets chirping, door squeaks, closes, clinking, groans, awkward silence, gasps, grunts, cat meows, cat whines, sniffles, clinks keys, smirks, sound of footsteps, squeaks, door opens, thuds, door closes, clanks, door opens, car engine starts, revs, tire screeches, accelerates, grunts, punches, groaning, somber music, soft chuckles, disturbance, man speaking on TV, gasps, scoffs, chuckles, birds chirping, dramatic sound effect, shoes creak, approaching footsteps, car door opens, car door closes, door opens, thuds, door closes, clears throat, counting banknotes, soft sinister music, sucks finger, groans, sinister music continues, tense eerie sound, door opens, clanks, thuds, slams, car door closes, engine starts, revs, chimes, sound of footsteps climbing, song playing, soft pop music, music continues, sound of footsteps, ominous silence, awkward silence, door opens, taps, door closes, water trickles, soft upbeat music, clanks, sniffles, deep sniffles, gasps, upbeat music continues, lighter clinks, banknotes rustle, briefcase closes, music continues, sniffles, gasps, upbeat music, music intensifies, intense sinister music, upbeat percussive music, percussive music continues, claps, snap fingers, mutters, sniffles, clears throat, deep sniffs, gasps, dings, sniffing, metal clanks, echos, percussive music continues, music fading, clicks, grunts, eerie ominous sound, soft chuckles, dramatic ominous sound, chews, grunts, groans, spits out finger, groaning, wailing, pleas, begs, crying, sobs, cries, wails, growls, bites, blood splatters, tense ominous music, phone keypad beeping, phone ringing, voice mail, dramatic tense music, keypad beeps, phone dialing, ringing, clatters, dramatic intense music continues, music fades, sound of footsteps, awkward silence, metal gate clanks, squeaks, knocking door, clucks, door creaks open, footsteps, keys clink, briefcase opens, briefcase closes, train horn blowing, train rattling, soft sentimental music, deep exhales, approaching footsteps, ominous music, chair scrapes, music intensifies, intense electronic music, music tones down, soft piano music, cheerful music, intense jazz music, rustles, music fades, pants, sound of footsteps, cigarette trickles, treading, treading faster, ominous sound, creaking of footsteps, clucks, rustles, sound fades, creepy music builds up, sound of footsteps, dramatic effect, bangs, creepy silence, growls, deep sharp exhale, scary voice, crying, sobs, grunts, shaky cries, clatters, diminishing footsteps, clucks, rolling of skateboard, skateboard scrapes, rattles, clanks, drags, sniffs, upbeat party music, indistinct chatter, laughs, smirks, indistinct murmurs, nods, rolls eyes, party music continues, music fades, intense percussive music, seductive voice, thumps, music continues, chatters, murmurs, music tones down, indistinct laughs, music fades, approaching footsteps, crickets chirping, blurry vision, skateboard scraping, footsteps clicking, spits, approaching footsteps, deep exhales, thuds, wind whistling softly, gasps, clomps, skateboard rolls, deep exhales, rolling, creaking, record player starts, pop music starts, creaks, music intensifies, thumping, thumps continue, thumps fade, gentle music playing, calming melodious opera, tense suspenseful music, sounds of heels, clicks, keys clink, scratches, sound of footsteps, dramatic thump, taps, clinks, clanks, gasps, lighter clicks, creepy creaks and clanks, intense ominous sound, thunder roars, dripping sound, whacks, grunts, groans, groaning, sound of footsteps, whirring, footsteps approaching, sinister ominous sound, dramatic sound effect, whooshes, creaks, paper bag rustles, rustling, sniffles, shoes creaking, door opens, music player starts, music playing, song continues to play, lighter clicks, lighter closes, nods, groans, romantic music continues, awkward silence, steam whooshes, roaring sound, train rattles, clatters, dramatic suspenseful music builds, indistinct ringing, tense music, thuds, clicks, sizzles, record player starts, melodious music, bed squeaks, song continues, thuds, zipper slides, gasps, grunts, song continues, thuds softly, breathing heavily, bed creaks, gasps, rustles, song continues to play, eerie rumbles, bangs, screech, thuds, intense ominous percussion, grunts, groans, crunches, gnawing, thunderous rumbles, shaky breath, sighing, dragging, thunders, scrapes, dripping, machine growls, birds chirping, loud bang, soft ominous music, sighing, crow caws, heavy breathing, water trickles, zipper slides, clatters, rustles, car whirrs, rumbles, thunderous thrums, dramatic growl, approaching footsteps, dramatic zoom effect, clucks, door opens, screeches, squeaks, sighing, pants, sniffles, clanks, gasping, snaps, clatters, cat meows, sinister music, dramatic, suspicious music, clinking, car whirrs, engine stops, crickets chirping, car door opens, car door slams, soft whooshing, awkward silence, sound of approaching footsteps, car door opens, car door closes, whooshing continues, clucks, dashboard closes, pop music plays, car engine roars, song continues, music fades, closing credits, outro music.

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, 2014 (abridged)

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The Ballad of Sun and Moon

Cherry is the smallest rock in the bunch, but it helps that they are always sitting on top of Watermelon, who is arguably the largest member of the family when you consider length, width, height, weight, and smoothness. Watermelon is smooth, and everyone is cool with them being the extravagant gem, because diversity is hip to this freshly knit ensemble.

Yes, as of today, they officially started a band! The whimsical group of singer-songwriters hasn't settled on a moniker just yet because they are hyperfocused on their earthly docket, and naturally, all the pertinent issues are decided by a cosmic feat and an enthusiastic show of hands—or in the case of the metallic outliers—a flaunting of infinity fingers that express their oft knotty positions. “In due time,” is a favorite mantra of the assemblage, who despite their illusion of stasis, love a good frolic, so it is not unusual to see the Gang of Twelve (currently in the running for: Best Band Name Thus Far) sporting natty pairs of well worn Dr. Martens when duty calls, unanimous in their delight for proper foot care as they zigzag around the globe, celebrating their fetish-of-the-day along the endless elevations of Gaia.

Despite this luxury of total freedom, the band prefers to be chauffeured by Sun and Moon, who live at the tippy top of creation, with a fabulous view, and coincidentally—just got married! Forever linked on April, 8th, the one-love newlyweds tickle themselves with symbolism, so the matrimonial date was predestined with April being the fourth month of the Gregorian, and four times two (Moon and Sun) equals eight, and the year, two thousand twenty four, was enchantingly two plus (or times) two equals four, and if that wasn't enough juju, Aries was the first sign in the zodiac.

Alas, not everything was auspicious to Sun and Moon. If you were introduced to them at a party, the couple would invariably let you know that it was perfectly acceptable to refer to them as Moon and Sun, or, Sun and Moon. "Mix it up, have fun!" they would say, in unison. However, it was widely understood that when speaking about them publicly, they insisted on being presented as a pair. But they weren't sticklers about this bit of kink, nor would they call you out if you neglected the courtesy, instead, you would be schooled in a more subtle way. The way of the village. A way that did not require their presence.

Moon and Sun passionately trusted the band to educate and enlighten. To spread the word. Or was it a feeling? This tangible vs. ethereal discussion was topical and also on their global short-list. The idea of whether it needed to be said, and if so, by whom? They were a lovingly thoughtful friend circle so they respectfully put a pin in it. Nevertheless, if a neighbor innocently said, "Sun, when will the burgers be ready?" There would be a hush, nearly inconceivable, merely lasting a second, and then, Cherry would tip-toe with a mild sense of urgency towards the wafting mojo in the room—which was you. You were the mojo. That certain someone who unexpectedly, or unknowingly, or perhaps through sheer laziness, was divinely repentant. And you felt it, immediately. The second it came out of your mouth. Why you even finished the sentence was mind boggling. Were you that hungry? And Cherry would look you in the eye, because they could, because they were sitting on top of Watermelon, and they would whisper with that disconcerting Yoda tenderness, "Sun and Moon," which was chased by a fleeting scent of magnolia, and then again, alternatively, "Moon and Sun," suspended in air, holding you in their lingering gaze until the words were inked upon your tongue.

The nascent collective worked as a unit. They were rock. They were metal. They were united in song, with perfect pitch, the epitome of Om.

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The Process

I'm looking for things to write about.

I haven't written much lately other than my journal, but I have been thinking creatively via photography.

I've been reading a lot these last few weeks. I'm taking it slow with The Paris Review Book: of Heartbreak, Madness, Sex, Love, Betrayal, Outsiders, Intoxication, War, Whimsy, Horrors, God, Death, Dinner, Baseball, ... and Everything Else in the World Since 1953. And before that, the Walter Isaacson book on Steve Jobs. The Isaacson pretty much flew by and quenched my curiosity about Apple, while The Review is setting off firecrackers.

Hence
my salivating
to actively rest
fingertips
on sensitive keys
and gentleness.

Ambient piano
stereophonic
on the Yamahas,
a duet of notes
and unicorns
vying for my paws.

Tap, tap, tap
the endless clicks,
an inner frenzy
of love
& happiness.

This is basically how all my blogs begin. Experiments conceived, contemplated, contrived, coddled, criticized, "and some more shit" as my beautiful friend in Harlem would say, and she meant it, with a subtle lean as she sucked the air straight out of her cheek. You could bet on it.

Literary fiction. When you say it like that it sounds rather—infinite. That's my genre, and it should read like Lorrie Moore, whose short story "Terrific Mother" made me swoon. So yeah, I'm looking for fiction, but I think I'll make a t-shirt first, just to be sure it's cool. Simple black cotton tee with letters in white:

I’m looking for fiction.

Folks will approach me when I'm wearing the minimalist couture and they'll say, "Hey, I'm not sure if it's fiction, but there was this one time …" And I'll listen while I frame the shot because you know I'll be hustling a photograph while they tell me all about it. I don't get out much. I'm a homebody. When I'm doing all that reading, I like to be comfy in my bed, laid back, feet up, with a single light focused on the page. But yeah, fiction in the streets. I'm wearing that mantra. And if I'm digging the story they tell me, I'll give them a homemade business card so they can get themselves a t-shirt, for free: because they gave me something to write about.

That's love.

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