The Abstract Art Gallery
A writing gallery created by writers from around the world. From poetry to song lyrics, from essays to entire novels and short stories.
A mirror can reflect the beginning and ending
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…the courthouse, Dale walked down the steps behind Sue. He wanted to say something to her, but he knew Sue did not want to talk to him, plus she was on the arm of another man. Once Dale got into his vehicle and started driving down the road, he felt lost in his hurt, anger, and…
By Nancy Lou Henderson
Read MoreA grandmother suddenly has to take care of her three grandchildren.
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…daughter showed up one fine summer day at her mother's house in Ashleyville, Ohio. Catherine had not been the model daughter Agatha wanted, but she was her only daughter. Agatha, now seventy and a widow, had not seen Catherine or her grandchildren for…
By Anita G. Gorman
Read More…pushed open the creaking metal gate and went into the builder’s yard. He almost tripped over a pile of bricks as he crossed the cluttered yard. Movement caught his eye. He turned to see an Alsatian dog running straight towards him. He swore and raised his arms in an attempt to protect himself from the impending mauling. He closed his eyes as the beast neared, feeling the hot breath of the…
By Chris Platt
Read MoreThe feeling when everyone in the neighborhood knows what's going on except you.
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…was one of those gorgeous spring days, so Sam was on his patio enjoying a cold drink and reading through his emails on his phone when he heard…
By Tom Kastanotis
Read MoreA pastor and a social worker find comfort in each other after the death of a school shooter disrupts their lives.
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…put on his collar in the bathroom and said a few prayers. Outside he saw more and more protesters gathering with signs demanding the funeral be called off. Jack put his coat on and walked outside. He had no idea how the protesters found out about the private…
By Nathan Perrin
Read MoreAgatha bemoans the way old people are treated. Then she performs an act of bravery.
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…had just celebrated her 85th birthday, and she was unhappy, as she told her friend Veronica, who at 75 was a lot…
By Anita G. Gorman
Read MoreBertha and Bertram Free try to find an appropriate name for their baby boy.
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…knew that somewhere in the distant past his ancestors had another name, a longer name, a foreign-sounding name. He'd heard of immigrants coming through Ellis Island and having their names shortened and Americanized by the island's personnel. Maybe that was how his family became…
By Anita G. Gorman
Read MoreA woman mourns the loss of her wife.
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…a girl scout today. Well, I ate 5 boxes of Samoas and 3 boxes of thin mints. There are 3 boxes of thin mints left in the freezer. I showed some restraint. The Samoas were her favorite; perhaps that was why I couldn't stop eating. I couldn't wait for her to wake out of sedation. The truth is I didn't want to…
By Leah Holbrook Sackett
Read More…did not know there was a secret in Uncle Otto's family. Or was it a secret? Did anybody care, or was the fate of a three-year-old girl not that important in the hardscrabble world of rural Sweden in…
By Anita G. Gorman
Read More…was sure her question was rhetorical so I didn’t answer, fearing I might receive a response marinated in anger. I just sat on the couch and continued watching TV. Next I could hear her throwing shit around the kitchen, shouting profanities, pounding on the countertop, all of this accompanied by intermittent groans of…
By Judge Burdon
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