Author: Adirondack Center for Writing

I know the birds are back every year because of my two cats, Nutmeg, and Jinxy. The moment a bird lets out a chirp, one of them is in the window, crying, or making a strange clicking noise. The clicking noise, I was relieved to discover, is a completely normal sound cats make.I’ve seen all … Continue reading Birds of Spring by B.L. Miller

Fear is a funny thing. Some people are afraid of some things. Other people are afraid of other things. A comedy writer will tell you that if you want to get a good laugh, start with the line, “What is there to be afraid of?”       Well, how about the dark?       Some … Continue reading Fear Flipped Funny by Edward Pontacoloni

Mud came into my life in an intimate and personal way when I was very young. I think I was three. At least it was before my sister was big enough to play with me and by the time I was four, she was two and we could play. I was the first child, so … Continue reading Mud in My Life by Duane L. Herrmann

My physical self lets me down.My body has aged less like fine wine, more like thick buttermilk.My mental self lets me down.My mind has aged less like ripe cheese, more like cheesecloth.My intellectual self lets me down.My brain synapses are slow and less frequent. And yetI’m delighted since latelyI drink less buttermilk and definitely more … Continue reading Age in Contrast by Leslie Sittner

In 1969, in the home of a new friend, I saw a framed set of four buildings. I did not immediately remember that I had seen the same four on a display at the local fair a few years before, nor did I consciously remember that one of the four had been filmed by my … Continue reading FROM FOUR TO FIFTEEN IN FIFTY, PLUS… by Duane L. Herrmann

“He jumpt on that quicker than a chicken on a June bug!” I heard the woman say to somone on the phone as I walked passed. How interesting, I thought. She didn't even have to think to say it. The phrase came out so quickly and easily, I knew it was a common expression for … Continue reading Chickens With Rind by Duane L. Herrmann

Well, don't that just beat all?He's like a chicken in a hay stack;them oats won't stand upby them selves – they needsome rooten and shov'in.Look at you, Danny Mae,aren't you fit to be tied?Whatever did you wentand done that for?Sometimes, darl'in – Idon't think you have a bonein your head at all!Use the green earththe … Continue reading Don’t You Say by Duane L. Herrmann

Time won’t tellif it’s been nickedor its track is lost. Time won’t tellif it’s lasted an eternityor went by at the speed of light. Time won’t tellif it’s just a matter ofor rushed for, or a waste of. Time won’t tellif it healed no woundsor is even on your side. Time won’t tellif it’s on … Continue reading Time for Cliché by Leslie Sittner

I. I Don't Need a Ride Brave President Zeleneskyytold the world in responseto an offer to flee Ukraine.I will not leave my people,my country, he affirmed.I need ammunitionto repeal invading Russianswho have now becomethe enemy of the world. II. A Free People A breath of freedomnot even forty years,when DOWNcame the fist of oppressorpushing all … Continue reading Homage to Ukraine by Duane L. Herrmann