The Summer of ‘98-A Short Story

I remember the summer of ‘98 like it was yesterday. The sun was a relentless tyrant, and the air was thick with the smell of cut grass and dusty sneakers. The neighborhood kids, a motley crew of preteens with scraped knees and boundless energy, spent every waking hour playing street soccer in front of old Mr. Atley’s house. He hated us, and we loved the thrill of annoying him. He was the grumpy Goliath, and we were the plucky Davids, a soccer ball our only sling. The best player on the street was Kevin. He was a year older than the rest of us, with a mop of sandy hair and a cocky grin. He was faster, more agile, and had a way of dribbling the ball that made it seem like an extension of his own foot. He knew it, too, and his constant showboating drove me crazy. I was a decent player, but Kevin always found a way to make me look like a clumsy oaf, stealing the ball from me with a quick flick of his ankle or nutmegging me with a cheeky grin. One day, our game intensified. It was just Kevi...
Post a Comment

Poison Chalice

The chalice gleams in candlelight,

a promise held in polished gold.

Its lip is carved with delicate grace,

a secret story to be told.


The brew within is dark and deep,

a velvet shade, a liquid dream.

It whispers of a sweet relief,

a taste of things that only seem.


But in its depths, a shadow lies,

a bitter truth, a final cost.

For every sip, a piece is paid,

a precious part of what was lost.


And all who raise it to their lips,

in thirst for power, or for grace,

will find the sweetness turning sharp,

the serpent's sting, the bitter chase.

So let it stand, a silent test,

a lesson carved in metal's face.

That what is beautiful on the outside

can poison all it can embrace.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thanksgiving Cheer

  Thanksgiving is here, an escape provides A time with family, away from isolation, solitary confinement and distressing of thoughts Everywhere we turn the news is ugly The numbers are rising as the death toll is counted In thousands they say, as the systems in place So shaken and stretched as cries for help pandemic 2020 brought in its wake recession and depression Though 2019 to blame Suicides and deaths all time is high Greetings and hugging, conversation of catch up Turkey in season, table talks today Prayers we say for the few times we stay May our hearts rejoice in the midst of this turmoil Grateful for the lives we have and those we saved  Hard to smile when all the chatter is sadness and despair Elections came and went, confusion and chaos predicted but alas, not so much was realized Our souls delight and our hearts be glad  Birth of a new dawn A new year is promised Vaccines are here, almost in time  Next year is upon us, hopeful we remain In all things we g...
Read more

Hope

  The plinth, when all is lost The distinction between surviving and suicide in the mist of deep depression Endeavor and neglect Remaining vanquished or brushing off the dust of defeat What else can there be? A burgeoning nation in search  Pervasive feuds, sufferings endured When all seem worthless Living in hope Some dying in expectation as days run into weeks Weeks into months Months into years Outliving over decades, indignity tolerable The pilgrims of old Persevere the holocaust Though an end not sighted, in the smokescreen of life Trusting that someday, the tides will turn The dark gloomy clouds will lift Night will give way to day The sun emerging in its splendor as the dark sky recedes For in the absence of hope What will mankind have? Surely there should be something to live for To strive for To believe in To die for To stand for In the midst of turbulent cascading events  Hope is all
Read more

Summer by Adel J. Cardor

                                     Oh summer, how I love your warm enclosure  How sad I will be when it is over  Seeing kids playing  Your days are never-ending....  Life without you would be such bore  In a classroom with your feet still, on the floor  I go to bed happy as can be  Another fun day tomorrow is guaranteed   
Read more