A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift
A Modest Proposal for preventing the children of poor people in Ireland, from being a burden on their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the publick (1729)
It is a melancholy object to those, who walk through this great town, or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads and cabbin-doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags, and importuning every passenger for an alms. These mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in stroling to beg sustenance for their helpless infants who, as they grow up, either turn thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native country, to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to the Barbadoes.
I think it is agreed by all parties, that this prodigious number of children in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their mothers, and frequently of their fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the kingdom, a very great additional grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these children sound and useful members of the common-wealth, would deserve so well of the publick, as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation. Continue reading →
A Wax Letter
A Wax Letter
Sitting in front of the paper under the candle light, the wax is almost already fully melted and I cannot come with any words to write down with my plume. My window lets the bright light of the moon come in and the wind outside blows the leaves of the trees like in a magical spiral stairwell to the moon. The blank paper still without words and probably will stay like that for a while. I hope you understand what I am going through. I still remember your soft fingers all over my body and your sweet voice whispering into my ear my name.
Countless times I have tried to write you this letter and I never know where to begin, I can’t find the words to say to your clear and bright eyes that still linger in my soul. Life is full of passions and I do not need to give you explanations, you know me well enough.
Your kisses still fresh on my body and my soul does not understand why you are not here anymore; it aches for you.
There is nothing in the world that can cure this illness of love. You are everything I want and I know you are everything I want. The universe dictates that we must be together, but your family does not. I could care less but I care because you care.
I will send this wordless letter to you with my soul poured into it. You will know what it means. Goodbye my love and so long my precious.
Sincerely,
Your Anonymous Lover
Note: First draft of experimenting with the voice of a letter within a short-short story without any context. Feedback appreciated.
The Wonderful Woman
The Wonderful Woman
Every morning she takes her kids down to the train station, running to reach the train as it is leaving and getting her kids on the back of the train to send them off. At midday she returns to the station to pick up her kids that most of the time are pissed about something and tired that they make their mom carry the bags and whatever is in their hands.
Her house-work tires her and she is unemployed. She is an incredible woman. As anyone that is unemployed she has looked for a job tireless but there are not a lot of jobs that she is qualified for. With only a middle school degree and 10th grade education there is nothing much she can do.
I have always admitted her from the distance, but today she is coming towards me with her average body figure and bad haircut. She smiles and points her soul towards me, I feel dreaming then she puts a knife against my chest. I do as she commands. I raise my hands and she picks my pockets; takes out my cellphone and wallet. She smiles and runs away. That was the last time I saw that incredible woman.
Under the Bed.
Under the Bed
Note: First draft and will continue to improve it let me know your feedback. Thanks.
Luke’s mother has always avoided talking about the brown traveling case that is under the bed. Whenever she cleans up under the bed, Luke always asks her what is inside the case but she just changes the subject and moves on. She always keeps the little golden key that opens the case around her neck and never takes it off unless when she showers. Luke has made many attempts to get the key but he never gets it.
Today, his aunt, Mary, and cousin, Laura, are visiting them. Laura is thirteen just like Luke is. She is a little taller than and she has always made fun of how short he is. “Hey you still the short one” Laura says putting her hand on top of Luke’s head and showing him that he just reaches where her nose is. Continue reading →