Photo by Matthew Schwartz
The Great Indoors
Creative Nonfiction
In this house, we take 6 feet very seriously. We don’t work too close to each other, we don’t eat too close to each other, we don’t even talk to each other.
The Jenga block slipped into place so delicately, and without even a whisper it stood strong. “The news is trash! It's all fear-mongering and paranoia!” Then it fell.
I tried to stifle it. I tried to hide it behind my fist. It was just the wrong pipe, but a cough managed to rip its way out. It’s too late though, nobody will look at me the same. Even the truth carries the disease.
We tossed some stale bread on the porch, two enthusiastic blue jays swooped in and excitedly nibbled on the same piece of crust… fools.
The driveway lies dormant. Our long travels are silenced by the need to quarantine. We cherished our outings. The best visits were to my grandmother’s house. She would decorate her walls with our smiles. I reached for my camera on one particularly serene evening and made her immortal. Then, when she died, her photo against the melting summer sky reached out and brushed the tear from my eye.
Ever wanted to be famous on YouTube or Facebook? Ever seen yourself as an Instagram personality, Twitter star, or Snapchat promoter? Are you interested in blowing up on Spotify, or as a Soundcloud rapper? Want to become a New York Times bestseller or a Tik Tok dancer? Do it now, you have to.
Let’s open all the windows and tape stars to the ceiling. A single light from the hall can lift the tides and give wolves a reason to sing. We can draw new constellations with our fingers while we nod off on a soft green carpet.
The flowers will bloom into a radiant array of colors. They will paint front porches and windowsills across the country. The sun will heat the earth and invite all its children to play outside. The birds will sing to each other and signal the start of a beautiful day. Time will pass like it always does, even if we’re not around to see it.
The Author
Jeff Hess is a senior at Western Connecticut State University pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Professional Writing. He helped establish and runs the Torch Student Magazine at the university. Jeff has been published in the Black and White Journal for the Arts. In his free time, Jeff likes to play frisbee and captains the Ultimate Frisbee team at Western Connecticut.
Jeff Hess
ความคิดเห็น