By Bruno Talerico
-
They argued often, made up more.Her favorite places to shopwere Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s his favorite places werethe swap meet and the junkyard.He was a tall, tan cowboy,strong and confident,allergic to rules, red tapeand rubber stamps.She was a petite, sweet coed,unspoiled, fresh,and head-over-heels.She wanted to be a rebel—but comfortable,Short-lived lustdestined for domestic martyrdom—She traded himfor a…
-
Have you ever cracked an eggand it won’t crack,so you crack it againand it still won’t yield?Then realizedit was hard-boiled?I have.(Thanks, Amy)© 2025 Bruno TalericoStafford challenge 363/365.
-
Rattlingforeign-bound train.Cattle,food on the hoof.Fearful soldiers,prepared for battle.Men and animalswho will never see home again,Both beingsdestined for slaughter.© 2025 Bruno TalericoStafford challenge 362/365.Image created with AI.
-
Air filled with birdsong.Mist draped over hillsides.The sun rose. I walked on my feet,I saw with my eyes, and knew I was human.My favorite chair, my favorite spot, gardens glisten with dew,shoulders warmed by the sun.I wonder why I am permittedso many sunriseswhile others are given so few?The sun sets.I lie on my back,I hear…
-
Attention all personnel.Deadpan voice crackles through the intercom:There has been an explosion.Number of wounded unknown.All personnel report to ER, STAT!” We double-time, hearts racingdown the long corridor. Per protocol, I stop at the lab freezer,grab four bags of O-negative bloodplace them in the Styrofoam ice chest and proceed to ER receivingjust as the ambulance arrives.…
-
Stand up!Look around!Can you see?We are ocean waves. We are magic.We came like moths to flame—to this place—at this particular time.We are the desert breezerearranging the sand.We are wizards of poetry—of songs, and love.Can you see—when we gather and share,there is always magic.We tell tales of dreams and fears,failure and triumph,laughter and tears.We are mystical…
-
If the current political leadersdisappeared today,I would miss them.I would miss waking to breaking news,the first alert, the lies rephrased,repeated, analyzed to death,sandwiched between adsselling things I don’t needwith money I don’t have.If the current political leadersdisappeared today,what would I have to look forward tobesides the quiet, indifferent sunrise?© 2025 Bruno TalericoStafford challenge 356/365.
-
Life continues until death.Once united, sperm and egg cease to exist.Two distinct life-forms—erased.Identities blendedinto a single unique being,a person who did not exist beforeand will never exist again.As with all beginnings,life is defined by its ending.We are alivetherefore incomplete.© 2026 Bruno TalericoStafford challenge 356/365.
-
I don’t have forever to offer, but I have this moment if you’ll take it. © 2026 Bruno TalericoStafford challenge 355/365.
-
The beauty of the setting sun is the belief thatafter the darkness, it will rise again.© 2026 Bruno TalericoStafford challenge 354/365.
Desert Dweller 