http://slow.writerscafe.org/Prismcrow The original writings of author Tom Friel en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1776163623 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15  Ever noticeHow ideasBounce back and forth Like firefliesAt a country dance On a nightWhere the sky is aliveAnd children areRunning back and forthClutching their jarsHoping to catchOne of those elusive FirefliesThe ones that danceFree and easyTo the music Calle.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/596849/   Still no takers. Despite the crude sign resting on the man's lap. A middle-aged man bearing a middle-aged midsection. Occasionally he would look up from his book and squint at the world. The cheap sunglasses he got from the cheap dollar store offered little protection for his half-lit eyes... http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/596400/ I was born with a fistful of dollarsI was born with a crooked smileI was born with an empty Belly full of lustI was born Without a trialMiles and miles I've traveled LordMiles and miles This ball and chainSmiles and smilesI’ve given LordSmiles and smilesCan't hide.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/485100/ They are my babiesI feel the boundAs soon as they reach the pageThey are a part of meA gift that I’ve givenIf to no one else myselfI’m not the best parentI only attend to my babiesWhen I have the time Or the inclinationStill, they mean a lot to meThey symbolize hope.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/483620/  And so watchedWithin ourselvesMinds that rivetBack and forthLike rocking chairsFull ofLifeFull of happinessBut mostly failuresThat fill our livesA workman's rockPerpetually Hoping like foolsOur nocturnal rockingMight somehowShine awayThe ugly dustOf wha.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/483120/ (See attachment) http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/473155/  “We were human”No one was sureWhy the rather oddSolitary manWould choose to leaveHis world of shadowsBirdfeedersAnd newspapersIn such an odd wayAnd why “we”?There was never a “we”That we were aware ofCould it beA reminder or sorts.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/473154/  Butterfly,sweet butterfly,let the windcarry your wings.Across the plainsand over the trees,it is love that you bring. Back to the Bluffs,back to your home,back to the days of old.Let the dance in your wingscarry the memories you sing,back to your most preciou.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/454575/  He didn’t want to be crematedHe knew too muchHe knew things others didn’t He knew cremation involved Moving the remains aroundAs they burnedHe knew some parts “Just don’t burn”As easily as othersNo matter how much you Stoked the fireYou&rsq.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/362270/  I felt the air of the hawkBrush against my skinAs if death itselfUnexpectedlyHad flashed before my eyes … But not HisContentedly unawareWas my four-legged friendSniffing doggedly in the grassOblivious to fact thatOne of nature’s diurnal birds of prey.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/361470/ I hear that ring ting tingalingDing ding dingaling cheerThey're hoping I'll give them moneyIt happens every time this year Outside the crap is fallingFreeloaders blocking my viewCome on its crummy weatherDon't you have something better to do? Giddy-yap, Giddy-yap, Gid.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/350841/ “Someone told me it’s all happening at the zoo, I do believe it, I do believe its true.”                               &nbs.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/337342/  "I know nothing!" Spewed the indigentGroping for moreFinding lessGrasping to seeHoping to blessYou pray he will stopThis mindless confess“Oh my God! Did he just spit on her dress!” "I know nothing!" He cries o.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/335672/  Dolls in the atticRocking chairs that moveOld records begin to playCreaky stairs, dogs that fightA farmer bailing hayCandles in the airA full-length mirror You know, someone’s near A chandelier, a treasure chestOld letters bring a tearA dried corsage, .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/335484/  So simple, so shallowSo soft, so preservedSo be, one man’s treasureSo stoically she be served A pedestal, a mirrorA beauty to this dayA flaw, a tearTomorrow looks away http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/332763/  More tiredThan sleepyOne man’s resignationIs another man’s genius Stroked in sadnessOne man will healStroked in madnessOne man will feel A sympathetic old manCast deeply in thoughtAgain, only waits, knowingHe soon will be sought A port.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/332700/  (Badaboom badabinglets do this thing) Meaningless chatterKodak smilesChick-like hugsLets lingerAwhile Do you remember              What became of        &n.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/331062/ She had her mother’s touch I knew it from the startShort and to the pointShe always found my heartJust a knick here and thereCold confidence filled those eyesEver slowly flowed my woundsDrip by drip, it never dries http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/323505/ If you can lighten a heartYou can lighten a soulIf you can lighten a soulThen Heaven will know Let me lighten your heartLet your peace now be sownMay you feel in your heart All the love that has grown Tomorrow brings fears Yes they always will be hereBut let’s.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/323497/  nothing is that simpleswirling in each and every frosty glassalong a barren shore of emotionssuccumbs a nightsoon to be swallowedby the great sea of lonelinesswhose deep waters carry away all that’s left of the real you leaving behind neon lights and empty glassesa .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/322266/ “Your work is cliché”Your teacher told you thatYears agoYou haven’t changedHow trite, how simpleBegging for attentionIs all one can say about“I See Dead People” But I do I see gaunt lifeless facesFaded eyes timelessly openI see.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/321385/  They are my babiesI feel the boundAs soon as they reach the pageThey are a part of meA gift that I’ve givenIf to no one else myselfI’m not the best parentI only attend to my babiesWhen I have the timeOr the inclinationStill, they mean a lot to meThey symboli.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/320677/ The water is coolSoftly refreshing Nimble toesUnaccustomedTo such freedomsWade blissfullyBack and forthHer bodyInstinctively movesWhere desiresHot from the sunMove innocentlyWithin her Secret gardenStudious ladsGander eagerlyAs SheSteps delicatelyNaturally Upon .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/312017/ Powers of land Powers of seaPower I holdDivine unto thee Horned hunters of nightFollow Dick with their gunsOh dark shining moonIt's been a good run A pinch of churchA pinch of stateThousands of livesEight years was their fate I am the commanderI am the .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/311185/ (This was an illustration I found in an 1875 edition of Scribner's Monthly. It was titled; "Death-mask".) http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/309987/    John woke to the smell of peanut butter. He woke yesterday to the smell of peanut butter and the day before that. The revolting smell was now sticking to the air and filling John’s lungs like a deadly toxic allergen weighing heavy upon his withering frame. For days John had not .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/309494/   John was sure the sonofabitch was dead. He’d read Larry’s obit. He’d gone to his wake and looked into that pathetic, pale face one last time, and smiled. He’d even been the last to leave the cemetery waiting for the dirt to cover the man he come to truly despise.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/308970/   Larry was feeling out of sorts. His issues with John had taken it’s toll. He was too tired to even feed the birds. What worried him most were the strange thoughts going through his head these days. Thoughts like, “Let them die”. Those weren’t thoughts, or w.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/307439/  It feels like an eyelashJust before you blinkYou know it’s comingThat momentary reflexOf darknessWhen you close your eyesMuch like a cameraRecording only what it seesThe past revisitedAn image viewedAgain and againYou wishTo see the big pictureBut an amateur.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/307127/ he was salivating the momentsavoring ittheir big tight mouthsopen to suggestionsas his mindfloated freelybeyond their graspstheir only controlto label himCATATONIC"poor soul how sadwe've tried everythingstill he's - caught"caught he wasa poo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/300973/ The wine was wonderful Maybe the best Cabernet He'd had in yearsHowever it wasn’t the wineThat sent a bouquet of thoughtsRushing through his headIt was the momentA moment he would savorFor its clearness of visionMuch like a windowJammed shut for years Only to suddenly Open on its ownGivi.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/300633/  for a minutehe was freefor a momenthe exhaledthe thick sticky airabsorbing the human dramaalmost closing his eyesto tubby ballerinasand sad-eyed ghoulsawkwardly tryingto avoid each otheras they glided less-than-gracefullyacross the dying blood red skycontainedin a.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/296465/ Pure UncomplicatedIs my loveInside her worldInside mineEach dayEvery dayShe teaches meTo keep it simpleHer realityShe sharesShe demandsWith mineI now listenPeacefullyBetween the stormsThat rage insideHer worldInside mine  http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/293923/  A Day At Chemo   “Been nice sleeping with you.” There was just a hint of humor behind the deft sarcasm coming from the gaunt face of the pretty young woman who caught us by surprise. She hadn’t said a word to us all afternoon. I believe we responded with smile.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/292665/ (for my wife and mother-in-law) This quiltHolds some memoriesThis quiltIs a part of meThis quiltIs about the cureThis quiltIs for my Mother For we Shared the same diseaseFor weShare these ribbons you seeFor weTogether believe This quiltIs our tape.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/290799/ Old photos Line the dusty windowsillPlastic fruit Lays forever UneatenNext to mother’s pillsCertain photos never lieAnd certain little girls Never miss mealsAnd certainly Little boys Never confuse The vague Importance Of something When it’s real Underneath.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/290169/ CreativityRarely growsIn fertile soilOddly diverging itselfMore towards the barrenDesolate, rocky slateIt seems accustomed toStormy nightsLonely windsAnd dark daysI’ve plucked the flowerThat grew in those cracksI’ve placed it In the finest of crystal vase’.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/289486/ Butterfly,sweet butterfly,let the windcarry your wings.Across the plainsand over the trees,it is love that you bring. Back to the Bluffs,back to your home,back to the days of old.Let the dance in your wingscarry the memories you sing,back to your most precious home... http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/287337/ What isn’t said Is often timesLouder than what we hearThe directionsWe often times takeUsually come without signsOr mapsOr even adviceTo be honestDespite all effortsTo helpWe ignore all pleasAll suggestionsAll demandsEven threatsAnd simply followThat unspokenI.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/287294/    It’s been a wacky week in my little part of the world. Never a place that generates a lot of excitement we sometimes have to make a mountain out a molehill, or in this case, a mountain out of motherly breasts just to keep things interesting.   All this titilla.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/283145/   Still no takersDespite your colorfulHandwritten signsSurroundingThe well worn lawn chairIn which you sitHoping someone stops byAnd noticesA bargain when they see oneYou yawn – and stareAnd turn the pageCasually sippingLukewarm coffeeOblivious to the fr.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/283028/ “Don’t need no ghosts ‘round here.”Some things disappear in lifeOnly to reappear later onOften times at funeralsPale faces comingOut of nowhereTo pay their last respectsInvisible areThe real reasonsFor their returningStill it spooks someBelieving in th.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/281447/ I got the turntable as my friendAnd I'm spinning it againAll my 45's are by my sideHow I wish it were her againThe old memories begin to stirEvery song reminds me of herStill I play them throughIt's just what I doWhen I get confusedFrom this hard days nights of waiting Alo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/281133/  Stir her worldRattle the cageTake her handTurn this page Show her lifeAnd all its colorsOpen the doorTo her first lover Pry her awayFrom apron stringsAll pretty birdsWere born to sing Let her danceAnd be entertainLet her laughAnd drink champ.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/277911/ Hey Dad,   How’s it going?  I’m sending this to you via cyber mail in hopes they’ve got computers up there. As you know there’s been a few others from the neighborhood that have passed on sense you left. I was back a few weeks ago for Mrs. McCann’s fu.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/274439/ He would curl his lipWhen he chose to speakFlicking his tongueAssuredly at the weakA pulpit SvengaliHe owned this rockLike singing to the choirSo easily eyes lockedHis tongue it felt moistHis eyes ever coldGod's demon of conceitPreached to his foldLet the innocent sleepFo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/274311/ Good morning Thomas. Nice couch. Would you like to try it out? No thanks, I’m good right here So what brings you here, Thomas? Oh you can call me Tom or Larry or Fr. Tom if you’d like. Fr. Tom? I was unaware of your position. .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/272803/ So precious, so fineOur passage of timeTogether, tomorrowIn laughter or sorrow A timeless embraceAll fears are erasedTwo hearts beat as oneAs each day is done Your love always staysThough time fades awayTrue love is my shadeSweet songs I have played http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/271961/ Oh selfish heart Your blood be it shared Fleeting is the pulse In life, nothing's sparedWords they must rise Vacant stares stare at me Shallow be the man (?)Who writes as he bleeds http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/271401/ So much cheaper than a shrinkSo much better than a drinkMy ever-sexy "Touch-Tone Girl”I’m calling you, lets give it a whirl! You’d be surprised I'm actually shyA sensitive lad, not prone to cryEvery minute I spend with youMy load is lightened, no more .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Prismcrow/271036/