CAROLYN O'DOHERTY
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the rock (for ryan)

2/23/2018

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Picture
It is hot. The sun burns through the sky, not a shred of cloud to block its sizzling rays. Of course all I can do is sit here.  That how it is for rocks. No legs, no hands, hell, not even a fin or a sail. Nope, not for a rock. You’ve heard the phrases, you’ve problem said them: dumb as a box of rocks, solid like a rock, stone cold dead. Who wants to be dumb, solid, and dead?  Not me. 

Not that anyone asked.  They never do.

At least last week I was in the grass. That was OK. Cooler, anyway, though kind of scratchy. Then some half-brained kid picks me up – no reason, mind you – and hurls me towards a stop sign. Clang.  Yeah, funny. I’m pretty sure I left a dent. I’m probably smeared with red paint, too, though I’ll never know.  No eyes, remember?  So now I’m stuck here, in the dirt, next to a road, with no cover at all and the sun beating down and every once in a while a car hurtles past, wheels inches from me, washed in exhaust. It’s only a matter of time before someone veers over just a hair and then… wham.  Cars are heavy. Trucks are worse. Trust me, I know.  You think I was always this small?  This smooth? I used to be big, edgy, sharp.  I used to tower over people. I used to intimidate. Now I’m just a hunk of granite, hand sized, easy to throw.  Easily abandoned on the side of the road.

If I weren’t I rock, I would scream.

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Daisy dog

2/18/2018

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Picture
The dog sleeps. Or not. She turns on the bed, sighs, and dozes again, dreaming of eternally elusive squirrels. The sun slides across the window, illuminating first the pillow, then the bedspread, then the floor. The dog scratches her ear. She gazes at me with mournful eyes. Wouldn’t I like to play? Take a walk trailing that long red leash? Stand in the dog park idly chatting with strangers while she romps? I do not make eye contact. The dog goes back to sleep. Or not. My fingers dance across the keyboard, words flashing, written, erased, always marching onward to fill a page. She doesn’t notice when the clicking stops. She doesn’t judge when I play solitaire. I stand and she is instantly awake, tail wagging as she trots at my heels. So eager, my shadow. She watches me make lunch with unfounded optimism. She watches me eat it with resignation. The bed awaits her return, the covers rumpled and smelling like dog. The keyboard resumes its erratic clicks. The sun drifts westward. The dog sleeps. Or not.
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Lights Out

2/9/2018

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Picture
The day came when the fire finally went out. They were cold after that.  And it was dark. The people wandered through the caves, bumping into each other and apologizing. They were used to eating only canned food by then, but now they didn’t even get to choose. When they got hungry each person took a can and opened it with their personal can opener. Yuck, someone might say, peaches. Someone else would have Spaghettios. Or cold soup. Or broth. They figured it balanced out, nutrition-wise.

The cold was harder to fix. People started paring up, though again, the selection was random.  John thought the body beside his was Mabel, but when he realized it was Sam he didn’t mind. Sam turned out to be warmer than Mabel. All that chest hair.

At night – which was always – they told stories.  The Day the Sun Died was popular, but so was Adventures in Toe Stubbing.  It didn’t really matter. They all knew they didn’t have much time.

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Is This yours?

2/1/2018

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Picture
She sat on the bench eating a sandwich
It tasted like ink with a dusting of apostrophes
When she bit into it, the letters scattered
Pigeons pecked at them
Heads bobbing
Swallowing them one by one
Is this yours? a man asked, holding up an “L”
She studied his suede boots
The pigeons lifted their heads
Their eyes as bright as pins
The man kept walking
Wait, she thought, but he didn't
She watched the boots cross the plaza
One blue, one red, a flag without stars
She thought he might be the star
She wished she hadn't eaten the sandwich
She should have saved the letters
Strung them together
Created words
Told the man her name
Picture
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    Scribbles
    Scribbles are thoughts, musings, stories, and poems. Scribbles are inconsistently added, quick, short, and (hopefully!) fun.

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© 2025 by Carolyn O'Doherty
  • Books
    • REWIND >
      • Buy Now!
      • Excerpt, Chapter 1
      • The World of Rewind
      • Rewind Photos
      • Study Guide
    • UNLEASHED >
      • Buy Now!
      • Excerpt, Chapter 1
      • Unleashed Photos
    • RECKLESS >
      • Buy Now!
      • Excerpt, Chapter 1
      • Reckless Photos
  • About Me
    • Top Five
    • Reading List
    • Author Interview
  • Contact
  • Short Fairies
    • The Piper
    • Cinderella
    • Frog Prince I
    • Hansel and Gretel
    • Rapunzel
    • Ugly Duckling
    • Frog Prince II
    • Beauty and the Beast
    • Snow White
    • Sleeping Beauty
    • Princess and the Pea