Published inThe Lark·PinnedMember-onlyThe Rhythm of Rain FallingA stormy revelation — I like to be in a coffeehouse when it rains. It pleases me to share my beverage with random strangers in a warm, dry place, listen to an esoteric playlist, and inhale the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. I could have stayed home. It could have been easier, but I…Rain4 min readRain4 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 Me6 min readAbout Me6 min read
Published inScrittura·1 day agoMember-onlyCity by the Delaware RiverWhere I drifted and almost disappeared — My life was a piece of driftwood, curled and gnarly, drifting around Philadelphia, where Washington crossed the Delaware. Philadelphia was a scrapbook of my childhood memories in a plastic binder of loose and torn pages with its pictures falling out. It’s where Ben Franklin was buried, Betsy Ross sewed the flag, a…Philadelphia2 min readPhiladelphia2 min read
Published inScuzzbucket·3 days agoMember-onlyAccepting My Mediocre FateA morning epiphany — One morning, I woke up and realized struggling to be a great writer is useless. Of course, I denied it, but then I thought — Should I believe this epiphany and not even try? And would it be best if I resigned myself to swim in the sea of mediocrity? …Poem2 min readPoem2 min read
Published inCrow’s Feet·6 days agoMember-onlySolitude’s My Old FriendIt is the fountain of healing — “Solitude is for me a fount of healing which makes my life worth living. Talking is often a torment for me, and I need many days of silence to recover from the futility of words.” — Carl Jung When I was a kid, I thought it was awful to be…Solitude4 min readSolitude4 min read
Published inBlue Insights·May 24Member-onlyThoughts on My Walk in the WoodsHumility, hope, and inner peace — I understood at a very early age that, in nature, I felt everything I should feel in church but never did. Walking in the woods, I felt in touch with the universe and the spirit of the universe. Alice Walker If I stay humble, keep my ego in check, not puff out…Poetry2 min readPoetry2 min read
Published inIn Living Color·May 22Member-onlyStrange Cats in WindowsCute and suspicious — Sometimes I like a window with the sun, other times the shade. It all depends on what interests me, who’s out there, and the noises I hear. Right now, a bird is fluttering in the tree that I’d like to sink my teeth into.Photography3 min readPhotography3 min read
Published inMove Me Poetry·May 19Member-onlyBehind A Generosity of SmilesHardship mixed with love — I’ve been close to women with hearts broken; they are my kindred spirits, who cling to hope in the face of loss. In their vulnerability and rage, they hide behind a generosity of smiles. Their trauma is silent, deep and lasting, like an uprooted flower stuck in the sand, fear that rises…Poetry1 min readPoetry1 min read
Published inSex and Satire·May 16Member-onlyGive Me an Atomic Wedgie, She Said.And, of course, I tried. — I dated a kinky girl a while back. Her name was Bonnie Bumweiler. She was attractive and had a nice body, but she didn’t enjoy coitus. So instead, she wanted me to give her a wedgie, not just any wedgie but an Atomic Wedgie. For those who don’t know, an…Fiction4 min readFiction4 min read
Published inPoetic Essences·May 14Member-onlyTeach Me Things Other Than LoveThe stuff relationships are made of — “Marry me so I can teach you to live and teach me to die.” —Charlie Chaplin to Oona O’Neill. Relationships aren’t all about romance. …Poetry1 min readPoetry1 min read