Jack

I agreed to switch bodies for a while with Jack the magpie, thinking I'd love being a magpie more than he loved being human. But as I watched him from my perch, he in my dress and my face, with my own smirk on, I began to have some doubts.

from that cold green sea

I didn't think there was any sweetness in that cold green sea. But then you washed ashore one day, and I stayed my harpoon. You strange and terrible beauty, vulnerable till the tidal swell swallowed you. And now I'm ruined, ever-scanning that cold green sea. Hoping you might surface again.

50-word story by Lisa Falzon

deer caught in bedlights

Uncharacteristically, that night she turned her back on the bed where the inevitable would have happened. Doe-eyes tightly shut, she kept still till the bear had passed. For she knew well those thought dear in twilight could find themselves cold venison by morning, and she would not be anyone's regret.

Debasement

When first you came, you swam respectfully.You drew aside the curtain to my heart chamber gently, and thus gained entry.

But now, barbaric frequent visitor, you barge in, trailing wetness and drafts. You've turned this sanctuary of mine into your basement and I, proprietress, shall set my dogs on you.





2010 copyright Lisa Falzon, in bold cause I was that mad and that right.

Man in the Microwave

I ignored the faint thumping noises of tiny fists against perspex, the muffled cries. Then at the bleep, I peered in through the glass. Unfortunately the miniscule man was quite dead. I'd hoped he'd blow up in size, like popcorn. But reheating men was really not my line of expertise.

Ode to Adva

You were so cocky, my ugly-toothed one. Thought you'd nicked my hairpin without my noticing. You stole a kiss by the train tracks that night and made me promise I would write but I never did. For you may have been the Thief my dear, but I was the trickster.

The vulcanologist, in love

From the first I knew she was a volcano, though she hid it well behind conventional replies. I set camp at her feet, her devout apostle. The night she sang, she erupted. And I sat the happy explorer, the quietly hysterical martyr, slowly melting in the lava of her voice.

Gretel's Tale

I cradle your head in my lap. Youre' quite dead now, brother. I grieve now. I brush the crumbs of gingerbread I'd eaten off your face and cry. I only ever wanted you for myself my darling. That is why I kept you in the cage long after she died.

A Chance Encounter

 

When I met you first it was on the dissecting table. You, glarish behind the mask - me naked on the table. Your scalpel slit me, spilling red flowers. Now interred within the earth I think of you, of other bodies that you had, because bodies rot but memories never do.

The Stranger at the Café

 

My eyes trailed up her legs at the cafe. She wore see-through tights. As my gaze travelled  upwards I saw she was watching me watch her. She smirked. I bet she thought I thought her pretty.

 I bet she'd never have guessed I'd been imagining strangling her with her hosiery.
 

50-word story by Lisa Falzon