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I Do This and That

March 9, 2021 18 Comments

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I stay in bed too long most days. I boil water when half awake. Then forget to add the coffee. I’m out of tea. I feel the cold floor on my bare feet. I could put on socks or turn up the heat. I do nothing much. I worry about animals. Here and in Africa and the last cloud leopard. I want to write a check to make their lives better. I’m out of stamps. I want to call a friend who is still in Vietnam, but it’s noon here and midnight there. I call anyway. As if he could answer.

By Paul Jones

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Caroline Stone says

    March 9, 2021 at 7:20 am

    I love the way you developed the character… I have an exact idea of him/her in my head even after such a short story.

    Reply
    • Paul Jones says

      March 9, 2021 at 7:50 am

      Thanks.

      Reply
  2. Jenny Bates says

    March 9, 2021 at 8:19 am

    LOVE this Paul! and thank you for mentioning the Clouded Leopard! They do indeed accept online donations…just saying…

    Reply
    • Paul Jones says

      March 9, 2021 at 10:44 am

      Thanks

      Reply
  3. Connie Aiken says

    March 9, 2021 at 11:26 am

    Your poem is staying with me. A lot to think about in 101 words. Tea , bare feet, cloud leopard, Vietnam. Does the number 101 have meaning?

    Reply
    • Paul Jones says

      March 9, 2021 at 11:38 am

      Thanks. On 101, you have to ask the folks here at 101words.org

      Reply
  4. David Daniel says

    March 9, 2021 at 4:37 pm

    Bravo.

    Reply
    • Paul Jones says

      March 10, 2021 at 5:02 pm

      Thanks

      Reply
  5. Cassandra Cassandra Hamilton says

    March 9, 2021 at 5:11 pm

    I really enjoyed the rhythm of this story and the reveal at the end.

    Reply
    • Paul Jones says

      March 10, 2021 at 5:02 pm

      Thanks

      Reply
  6. Derek says

    March 10, 2021 at 3:28 am

    To me, this echoes life in lockdown perfectly.

    Reply
    • Paul Jones says

      March 10, 2021 at 5:03 pm

      Thanks

      Reply
  7. Fran Scott says

    March 10, 2021 at 1:01 pm

    I could really relate to this writing. I could feel the lethargy in this piece and the sense of anxiety. The last line leaves the reader with questions. Why couldn’t he answer.

    Reply
    • Paul Jones says

      March 10, 2021 at 5:02 pm

      Thanks. And there are some answers in the story.

      Reply
  8. Amy Ballard says

    March 10, 2021 at 8:50 pm

    I enjoyed this, Paul. Very real.

    Reply
    • Paul Jones says

      March 11, 2021 at 9:04 am

      Thanks

      Reply
  9. I.R.Pathak says

    March 11, 2021 at 7:07 am

    Each line contains a separate thought. Wonderful word imagery. The commendable piece, Paul.

    Reply
    • Paul Jones says

      March 11, 2021 at 9:03 am

      Thanks

      Reply

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