My homework, which I assigned to myself, the way kids do sometimes, consisted of hobbling around my room in a witch hat, practicing spells on my shoes. 

Route #1 via I-476 South
Time to destination: 25 years, with plenty of stops for gas, food, fear, and shame. 14 if you... more

If I had to take a shit that meant I had to go downstairs. I didn’t have a specific aversion to leaving the attic— I just never felt... more

In my favorite bookstore in a city where I no longer live, there’s a sign for sale that says: when in doubt, turn... more

In the spring of 1989 an asteroid the size of the Empire State Building crossed Earth’s orbit.

It happened at a small party I’d planned at a nightclub in the meatpacking district.

From the shadow of an oak tree.

If not for “Alive,” I’d be dead. 

Nothing would deter us.

From The Happiest Place On Earth

The door is open, I said, just come in.

Liz and I sit up with a start.

An envelope with my name on it, xoxo.

We met in the pathology suite ––me the medical student––you the corpse.

We had a crab dinner at my uncle’s that night.

The first thing I realized was that my legs weren’t broken.

I flipped on the lights, turned up the furnace, and cranked some Stevie Wonder.

And christ it's gonna be hot inside the tiny bar where SUMAC is playing tonight. I should've stayed home. Like I always do. An old man on his couch.

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Ours was a world that devised its own sense.

The tree frog plays his violin.

There was still nailpolish on her toes and fingers.

“You’re crafty and wise,” the quiz’s benevolent gods tell me.

Tortellini becomes my password for everything.

It’s Saturday night, and I am cleaning the kitchen because it’s easier than cleaning up my life; I am putting away dishes because I... more