Published inBlue Insights·PinnedMember-onlyChristmas on Venice BeachWith compassion — Poetry1 min readPoetry1 min read
Published inMuddyUm·PinnedMember-onlyMy Mother Doesn’t Like Me Being a SaviorAnd wants me to stick to carpentry — I love my mother, but sometimes she could be a real pain — Jesus this, Jesus that. She doesn’t want me to get crucified, kiss Mary Magdalene on the lips, or even save souls. Instead, she wants me to stick to being a carpenter. “Mom,” I keep telling her. “I…Humor3 min readHumor3 min read
Published inAbout Me Stories·PinnedMember-onlySome Things About Me — Mark TulinFrom therapy to becoming a writer — I told my wife to make my obituary short and sweet. A haiku would suffice: A crow of mischief Born out of brotherly love Retires to the sea No one knows me completely, not even my mother; rest her soul. I'm too cryptic for words. …About Me7 min readAbout Me7 min read
Published inThe Brain is a Noodle·1 hour agoMember-onlyMixing Love Into a Doughy BatterCookie poetics on a gloomy Sunday afternoon — In the privacy of our kitchen, on a gloomy Sunday afternoon, my wife is baking oatmeal cookies, and wearing a checkered apron with a spatula in her hand. She has a generous attitude, and an energy that fills the house with a warm, sweet fragrance. …Poetry1 min readPoetry1 min read
Published inShort and Weird·1 day agoMember-onlyI, ManikinA sad quest for self-actualization — Marcel Hemp’s job as a clothing manikin made him depressed. It wasn’t that he didn’t like his boss or the customers. He was tired of having a frozen smile and wearing the same clothes. He wanted to be a human. But since he couldn’t, he considered lighting himself on fire…Fiction2 min readFiction2 min read
Published inSNAPSHOTS·4 days agoMember-onlyWatching the Passing BoatsAnd content with being a landlubber — It is tranquil by the harbor, watching the boats ease into the ocean during the early morning. As the sun peeks out, I hear the boat's quiet hum, slicing through the chilly water with the seabirds screeching overhead. I don't envy those who own boats. I wouldn't want the financial…Photography4 min readPhotography4 min read
Published inThe Hub Publication·6 days agoMember-onlyAn Arrow of SorrowPeople in dire straits need benevolent givers — If someone asks for a handout, they need it, or they wouldn’t ask — it’s not like they’re trying to get over on you, faking a hardship. So, help out a desperate soul who’s falling between the cracks, destitute by no fault of their own, circumstances beyond their control, blindsided by an arrow of…Poetry2 min readPoetry2 min read
Published inThe Bazaar of the Bizarre·Dec 1Member-onlyLonely JoeLiving the reclusive life — Lonely Joe stares from the window, careful not to be seen, with two old beagles, Sam and Max by his side. He lives a reclusive life, cloistered in his small one-bedroom, fully aware of his secret obsession — keeps his door locked, along with life’s disappointments. He has always been…Narrative Poem2 min readNarrative Poem2 min read
Published inCrow’s Feet·Nov 28Member-onlyI Found Honesty In AgingA self-care narrative — As a former therapist, I transformed into a chameleon for each patient. I changed my tone of voice and adapted my mannerisms to fit the personalities I worked with. Adaptation was the keyword. But, unfortunately, it resulted in my losing a sense of self. Once I retired, however, I slowly…Essay5 min readEssay5 min read
Published inSex and Satire·Nov 26Member-onlyThe Sexual Twilight Zone With Rod PervlingToday’s episode — Martian Porn — Rod Pervling intro: There is a sexual dimension beyond that which is known to the human race. It is a dimension as vast as J-Lo’s butt, a johnson as long as Criss Strokes. In this story, we watch how Gladys and Charley Shambeckler, middle-aged and suburban, turn their marriage upside…Humor3 min readHumor3 min read