My Estella in Blue

I am always searching for my Estella in Blue.  She knew I loved her sitting in the corner, dressed in pale hues.
I can always picture the last time I saw Estella.  She knew everyone else was judging her sitting in the corner, with a brown bottle in one hand, and her face in the other.

I would’ve protected My Estella in Blue.  Always.  She knew.

 

~~Story by Ian Russell

In Paris – Haiku

 

~~Haiku in Blue by Ian Russell

Mouches Volantes

        I remember when she told me what it was called – those floaters you see when blinking. Mouches Volantes. Some French term that sounded so beautiful, at least when she spoke.

            I remember reading her a poem I wrote about how I saw her face on each squiggly floater, “A shadow on my retina/ a bright spot on my heart.” The only difference being that the next time I blinked, she was gone. I never liked French anyway.

~~Story by Ian Russell

Smoke on the Horizon

       Molly paces around the custom muscle cars and tricked-out pickup trucks. She hides from the scowling mourners smoking cigarettes on the wide front porch. With a shaking hand, she swipes pale pink lip gloss across her cut lips. Angelic voices sing of love and righteousness. Of course, his mother had hired a choir.

        Molly touches the bruises barely hidden by the makeup. A tomcat leaps onto her brother-in-law’s car, rubbing its butt on the “Chicks, Not Dicks” window decal. Its swishing tail tickles her nose. She scratches its head and watches smoke escape the funeral home’s ugly metal chimney. Her Hindu grandmother believed the funeral pyre’s smoke was the glorious release of a soul. Molly feels her own soul rising, stretching beneath the stiff, black dress. She drops her cheap wedding band in the dirt and follows the old tomcat toward the road.

~~ Story by Kelly Anelons

You can follow her on twitter@kellyanelons

Chalky Hearts

        Everybody wants a date for Valentine’s Day. My date was a mistake, as far as I knew.

           And now I find myself stuck in line with an extra large bag of Candy Hearts etched with phrases like “Kiss Me,” and “Crazy 4 U.” Those chalky hearts leaving a bitter taste in my mouth worse than if I had actually chewed one. That’s what I get for waiting ‘till the last second to buy a Valentine’s gift. Flowers and chocolate are expensive. Did I mention that I’m not that good with Valentine’s Day?

           One week earlier, I’m texting this girl I’ve already hooked up with, and she said she’s free any day, so I picked Friday, which seemed easy enough until I discover that Friday is February 14. I’m not paranoid, but I’m pretty sure she tricked me into picking that day. Anyhow, I guess there’s worse things than having a date on Valentine’s day.

           By the way, has anyone ever noticed there’s a heart that says “Don’t Tell?”

 

~~Photo and Story by Ian Russell