Themes
Better Childhood
It’s only fair when I yell at you, she said to me once. You had a better childhood.
Better Luck
This is just one of those lives you try & get through, she told me. I’m hoping for better luck next time.
Better Trap
trapped mainly by wanting things to be exactly as they are,
only better
Between the Noise
I yell way too much at my kids, but they’re smart enough to read between the noise.
Being Bigger
they only look small, she said, if you’re someone who’s fond of being bigger than everyone else
Being Good
I’ve always thought death was a lot like Christmas, he said. I can’t wait to find out if being good the whole time was worth it.
Being Right
If you’re right & I’m not, I’m going to be hell to live with, she said. So, you better think about that next time you want to be right.
Being There
sending postcards to himself saying ‘Wish you were here’
so when he gets back home he doesn’t forget
Belief
Can you prove any of the stuff you believe in? my son asked me & when I said that’s not how belief works, he nodded & said that’s what he thought but he was just checking to make sure he hadn’t missed a key point.
Believing My Father
I used to believe my father about everything but then I had children myself & now I see how much stuff you make up just to keep yourself from going crazy.
Believing Tall
I’ve always thought I was taller than I looked, she said, but that belief is not without difficulties.
Belly Dancer
The singing on her belly dance records reminded her of the cattle auctions she used to go to with her grandfather & she would sing along softly, fourfiftyfourfiftyfour seventyfivegorgeous gorgeousgorgeous myohmy, she would say & then she would raise her hands above her head & ripple her body like trees in the wind.
Belly of the Pig
Every day he stood in front of the Bank of America. You’re trapped in the belly of a big pink pig, he said. We ignored him. We had work to do.
Benign Neglect
If I ran the world, he told me, I’d pretty much leave it alone & spend my time reading & I’d advise other people to do the same. Which is why I’ll probably never run the world, he said.
Ballerina Mom
Whenever she stood in line at the bank, or while waiting for the bus, I noticed her feet. The right always in front & perpendicular to the left just so. Even after 2 children, she still dreamed of being a dancer.
Balloon Man
He used to make model balloons & send them off to Macy’s with a note that they could use them free of charge for their parades. After Macy’s filed for bankruptcy he just shook his head. A better balloon could’ve turned that whole situation around, he said.
Bananas
My great aunt told me once to remember that old people need bananas. I remember. Someday I will tell my sons.
Barbarian
Of course I act like a barbarian, he said. They’re the only ones who have any fun in this life.
Beautiful People
I have a friend who reads people’s auras. He sees all sorts of colors like green & red & purple. He says anyone can do it. All it takes is forgetting everything you think you know & just looking. I’ve tried it & even though I haven’t seen any colors yet, everyone I meet looks so beautiful when I stop knowing everything, that it’s pretty hard to go back to the old way.
Bed of Nails
I made a bed of nails once like they do in India, but my mom said I’d need my tetanus shots first so after awhile I just leaned it against the garage & threw apples at it & watched them stick.