“What line of business are you in Mr. Patheson?” Ugly fucking hairy ape-woman, what do you know of business? Just rent me the space and be done with it. You’ll find out my business soon enough. “Entertainment Cindii, a little import export on the side.” “I see.” No you don’t, none of your ugly symmetrical … Continue reading Hot Dog
Author: Ishmael A Soledad
A pen pusher by day and frustrated author by night I live in Brisbane with my long-suffering wife and psychotic cat.
Lesson
Jake Yancy’s parents were like all parents, happy and scared when their small bundle of joy popped out. They did their best as best they could, squeezing him into their busy lives between work, sleep, friends and Netflix. Like most they won some and lost some, like us all they didn’t know which was which. … Continue reading Lesson
Sex and the Single Cosmonaut
The clouds of Jupiter beckon, endless shifting coffee cream swirls of gas and dust folding and unwrapping in melting deep rivers, soaring mountains of colour. I want to reach in, dig down and clutch my hands drawing up tendrils of the floss, wisps falling from my fingers, misty cascades of super chilled gas insanely, killingly … Continue reading Sex and the Single Cosmonaut
Echoes
The man at immigration inspected my documents, my bags and my very person in minute detail. Although disconcerting it was expected. I was their first. “It all seems in order. Welcome to Earth.” “Thank you.” “I saw the newscasts. Terrible tragedy.” “It’s regrettable dying so far from home and kin.” “That’s what I meant.” *** … Continue reading Echoes
Pictures of You
Death always smells the same. Yuichi adjusted her blue plastic overalls then picked her way between the fast food containers, betting slips and soiled laundry littering the floor to pull back the curtains and let in the Osaka morning. Another day, another cleanup, another invisible death. The sofa carried the indentations, dark stained upholstery to … Continue reading Pictures of You
Ahab
“Ticket 438 room one.” The P.A. floundered under the noise of the packed reception area. Sergeant Pat Blanchfield took the flimsy, pushed through the swing doors into the corridor. Five weeks until he called an end to a thirty year career and Captain Yasui had tied him to the front desk with six inches of … Continue reading Ahab
Once Upon a Time in the East
October in Vietnam is supposed to be relatively dry, but like everything else the country was trouble. Captain Dave Carvery disdainfully glanced from under the camo sheet serving as a hooch at the drizzle. Three days straight, just keeping it sticky enough to be uncomfortable. At least he could cool his heels here, sit back … Continue reading Once Upon a Time in the East
Bobbie
Lower the curtain on life Open the door to memory not unchanging, but over the years to whiter purity Time bleaches out hate, the bad the ordinary From arms embracing to embrace of pine Loves enfolding never leaves even as you slipped from our grip Enter stage right Exit stage left No audience, … Continue reading Bobbie
Lose
She says she doesn't want to lose me as if I can change it the hour and day writ from birth unchanging What’s life? What is served to live another one, ten, fifty years what purpose promoted? Is the preservation of I so important? Seemingly hollow as someone said a waste of breath what … Continue reading Lose
Vocation
Abbot Johannes gazed at the twenty-four professed gathered before him, the bitter chill of early February penetrating the bare stone chapel. The taking of vows, the final irrevocable admission of a brother to the community was solemn, a time of thanks. This one was unique, a loss-tinged joy. Having remained prostrated, naked in penitential reverence … Continue reading Vocation
