RECORDING MOMENTS IN TIME

We hustled homeward, empty-handed, while avoiding obstacles along the trail. Approaching notice a small group has gathered, applauding?...

We follow our semi-cleared pathway north toward several buildings, maybe a mile away, that appeared occupied. An occasional puff of smoke...

Three days of backbreaking work clearing a path wide enough to squeeze a wagon through freely. Fortunately, we recruited several others...

Sunrise the next morning. I find Brett inspecting the wagon. As the sun rises, the weather is clear for the moment. Everyone prepares...

My plan, hide. Stay in my cubical. Get to the kitchen early, get my job done, never making eye contact, ignore everyone, then back to my...

I’ve heard about these teams, men and women sent out to steal anything not nailed down by any means necessary. Once outside the fence you...

On the roof, bent over, head throbbing, abdomen aching as if someone had slugged my mid-section repeatedly, with his final likeness...

Heart racing as a single shot echoed in my ears, I walked straight out the door, carefully stepping over the body, having never pulled...

As weeks dribble by a few, usually unattached males, in various stages of rags, line up, all in need of what we have. What we will share...

The value of life, quantifiable, acknowledged but never spoken, hidden, perhaps. Human capital, tangible while a laborer is alive, a doctor, dead, is of no value. The value of life defined as the ‘product’ it can produce, what it can give back, can barter. Max the gunsmith. Mr. Maddox’s ability to construct, offer security. Ms. Bishop’s culinary skills. Emily… a warm body. Me? Me, willing to do what I’m told without complaint. Kitchen helper, errand runner, dole out food, sen

Awaken by the warmth of the sun, no rain, cool for now. I could hear movement nearby and felt the whispers. I laid quietly, eyes closed, inhale and exhale, repeat, replaying last night’s events. “Crap, what did I do?” My life was about to change and not for the better. I’m screwed. Maybe he is not dead. A bad dream. Staring at the blue tarp, I replayed the events, the sounds. He fired, first hitting the roof, then silence. Seconds passed as I pull the trigger, slow, knowing I

“She’s coming with me,” he demanded. Emily breaks away, stumbling to the ground in disarray, still pleading between sobs. Blood oozed from her lip. He bends forwards squinting, focusing, cussing. Considering his options, still responding to the adrenaline flowing through his veins. A small crowd was now forming. A step closer, I consider my future while watching Emily in my peripheral vision. Then, an unexpected memory of an exposed, beaten woman flashed in my thoughts. Almos

A chilly night has settled in as the sun slipped behind our mountain range. We live in the rain shadow, supposedly that patch of land that has become a desert because the mountains block much of the rainfall necessary for plant growth, followed by oppressive heat. Summer. Winters a different story. It is easier keeping warm than getting warm once chilled. Hats and socks are a must, and outerwear layered, kept clean and in good repair. As nightfall approaches, here’s a suggest

Appears for now enough talent and muscle on site. Men and women prepared to share their specialized skills in the establishment of a robust operation. I arrived late to the game, as an ex-teacher, a competent cook, armed with a tragic story, willing to follow directions. Evidently, there was some discussion about my added value to the community. My acceptance was not unanimous. I’m in and plan to remain under the radar, do what I’m told while avoiding scrutiny from select mem

As a community, or for now a collective, we occupy a space we call home. Why we ended up at this venue, I know not. Seems we were all searching for a respite. A sanctuary city where we could find temporary relief. I’m thinking maybe a more permanent home? Unlikely? Those are stories for a later date. All I know about the world it is in a state of disintegration. The rule of law that once kept humanity afloat has broken. Our Founding Fathers concluded our social experiment wou

We are apparently uncaring tenants. Some likely would disagree. Of course, there are always the eternal optimists. Those believing tomorrow all will change, we will revert to what appears to be their fiction. Mother Nature was clearly unimpressed with humanity or its ability to design the next brilliant innovation. She waits. All the while, we project an arrogant facade. Convinced we can correct any recent ecological, technological blunder. She is fully aware time is on Her s

They warned us. Again and again and again. But here we are, living on a planet in distress. It’s like aging. I pass a mirror and wonder, when the hell did that happen ? I meet an old friend and wonder silently, wow; they have not aged well. It just happens, entropy, we see it, we rationalize “singular” events, and act surprised when they repeat. Conceived long after the Milky Way formed, we will eventually return to stardust. Today is but a tick on the eternal clock. “Joe” d