Immediate Family Only
The very least he owes me is a body. A thumb, a wrist bone, the big barrel of his chest. But there my father sits: gray soot in a gold cube. Astro turf covers the hole in the earth that’s not big enough to fit his calloused foot. People stand, talk about my father as if he’s still whole: an efficient, frugal man with thick white hair and green eyes. A lover of conglomerate rocks and geometry. Incinerated now, he’s ready to be lowered. The earth sinks under my chair legs, tipping me forward and I feel myself falling, falling
Photo Credit: infra-leve
That is very well put. Cremation often seems cruel and out of place in a Western context.
his publications are very good, so much to understand with so little is a challenge, the brevity of Flash Fiction is an art.
Thanks so much, Carolina and please forgive my tardy response! There is something oddly liberating about having only 100 words to work with.
Absolutely love and admire “Immediate Family Only”. This is my first visit to and awareness of the magazine. I am definitely going to subscribe. My friend, Pamela Painter, has been writing Flash Fiction. Although I’ve published short stories (not THAT short), poetry and essays, I hadn’t known about Flash Fiction until she told me, and had her work published as well. I plan to try writing a piece myself.
Thanks so much Enid! This micro essay just came to me late one night. The 100 word limit was oddly liberating, giving me a container to hold the inspiration. Good luck with writing flash fiction and nonfiction! Best, Laurie