Tom M.

Inventory – Dreaded Inventory

Inventory – Dreaded Inventory

A searching and fearless moral inventory? With lots of fear and trepidation. I don’t like the word fearless; it’s not true. I’ll use the word courageous instead. Whose inventory? Those who harmed me? After all, they are at fault. My parents, my coworkers, the toxic...

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Counting Myself In

Counting Myself In

Excluded from the playground. Always picked last for any team sport. And when I am picked, quickly excluded from participation. I’m part of my family, but I don’t belong. Expected to be quiet and invisible. Expected to just go...

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Photo of Daddy-Monster

Photo of Daddy-Monster

I see an old photograph, daddy-Monster when he was about 25, standing with two of his brothers-in-law, dressed sharply, with confidence and self-assurance. I see a dad who’s not a dad. I see an explosive volcano. I see a raging...

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The Color Dread

The Color Dread

I was five years old. daddy-Monster told me to take out the trash. I remember the color dread. What if I did it wrong? Then daddy-Monster would explode. But he didn’t explode. I must have done it right. I remember catholic...

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