In a long marriage couples communicate in so many ways, often in silence. In recent years I rise very early and now leave post-it notes

Some never hear of him and likely never will— pygmies in Africa, aborigines in Tasmania, the indigenous in South America.

You have the back rent and come home from work and find everything in a mountain out on the lawn with the kids sitting on the curb crying

Jimmy was visiting his father when Mr. Crenshaw called to say Mrs. Bittles had died the night before of a sudden heart attack.

After the doctor tells Ahmad his test results, Ahmad says he needs a new place to live. His tent’s in ruins, Ahmad says. His body will soon shake a final t…

The last visitor before I sleep is always the old priest puffing up the stairs to my door, a wine cask under each arm, a loaf of pumpernickel in his teet…

He publishes poems by writers who find no publishers elsewhere. They suffer rejection and he gives them hope.

The nice thing about crossword puz… as an obsession, Phil tells Bill,… keep you away from other obsession… that might engage your attention a… benefit no one. For example

The ones we didn’t abort we’re starting to euthanize so no worries there. It’s the ones in the middle still walking around

Standing in line behind a father and his little boy waiting to reach the register

Christmas lights ring the house and carols play. Todd decorates his grand Victorian

This time Wilma is ready for the bastards jimmying her front door, coming back for more. The first time she was asleep,

This was the first Christmas Billy was old enough to speak when he saw his gifts under the sparkling tree. His parents were waiting

If smiles had echoes all the world would hear Grandma’s bouncing off the stars Donal Mahoney