Cole Matthews

Salix Babylonica 10 – The Plan Walking on willow tree roads by a river dappled with peach blossoms, I look for spring light, but am everywhere lost. Birds fly up and scatter floating catkins. A ponderous wave of flowers sags the branches. Wang Wei “Can we go over the case against Eddie again,” Ben’s voice was shaky as he asked the question. “There isn’t any real evidence against him. Is there?” Rush smiled sadly. He looked up from his coffee at his partner. After a fe

Well, he is a teenager and stupid is what they do best. We'll see what happens next. Thanks for the comment!

Clay and Carl are the typical teenagers so they probably will do what they want. Thanks for the comment!

He'll be back to the video games. Now on to the next chapter. Thanks for the comment!

Clay wants to help, that's for sure. No doubt Carl will be part of it. Thanks for the comment!

Very good!!!! The text messages will make their way back in. The redactions from the civil case need to be removed. But, they will reveal a great deal. In the meantime, there is more evidence being organized and the picture begins to emerge. Thanks for the lovely comments. I appreciate it.

Interesting. What are you wondering about? You sound doubtful. Let's see what's next. Thanks for the encouragement!!

The Warrens is based on an artists' space across from a restaurant I used to run. It was an old shipping depot with large airy spaces that was renovated into smaller spaces for rental by various artists. The walls were thick and the floor concrete and stained. It is the perfect place for bands to rehearse, artists to weld sculptures or throw pottery or who knows what else. Lots of possibilities for that space, if you get my drift. Thanks for the comment!

Yes, that's correct. Steve did throw pottery and perhaps the dust in his space has to do with that. It is dust, dry red and gray powder. Very good observation!!!!

Salix Babylonica 9 - Confession Life seeks life and loves life. The opening of a catkin of a willow, in the flight of the butterfly, in the chirping of a tree-toad or the sweep of an eagle - my life loves to see how others live, exults in their joy, and so far is partner in their great concern. Edward Everett Hale Rush watched as Ben stretched and yawned. His body was as lithe as Rush’s was thick. They were the yin and yang of gay couples; Rush had fairer features and a

Great News!!! And Happy New Year!

Yeah, I wanted it to be sad, but they still have their memories of their life together. I'll leave you with the last Lightfoot quote that inspired this story. But stories always end And if you read between the lines You'd know that I'm just tryin' to understand The feelin's that you lack This story hit me so powerfully, reliving and remembering those times, that it was bittersweet. Do we ever really know what happened? Is there a way to fix it? Finally, if the story is at an end, shouldn't we accept it and move on? It's easier said than done, and that's why this story doesn't have a final curtain call. It's a fade-away. Thanks so much for the sentiments and for reading.

That's exactly it. Just because a relationship ends, it doesn't invalidate the love felt and expressed. Those memories are real and vital. They become part of a person and to acknowledge them is to honor them. Another line from Lightfoot's song is appropriate here: And I've got to say that I just don't get it I don't know where we went wrong But the feeling's gone And I just can't get it back I still feel that I don't know what happened in my life, just like Monte and Dane don't know what happened. They never dreamed it would fade away, but when it's gone, it's gone. But, there is still something to relish in the memory. Thanks so much!! I appreciate the kind words.

Thank you so much!!! Yes, there are uglier and messier endings, and they are well-represented in literature. However, I've seen so many breakups that were like this one. Affections become alienated and they are no longer friends and lovers. The relationship dies, but no one ever told them and so they drift apart in spite of a shared history. I wanted their story told, and yes, it's emotionally autobiographical. That made it very special to me. Thanks for the comments and generous sentiments.

So very true. Thanks Timothy!!! Monte and Dane will forever have each other in their hearts. They just can't be together any longer. It's uncomfortable, but I believe those feelings are valid as well. I really appreciate the kind words.

Thank you so much for the kind words. I heard the same thing from others. However, when the real-life Monte and Dane split, it wasn't happy. They drifted apart until they couldn't look at one another again. But, those warm feelings, memories, of their time together will forever color their hearts. There are ghosts of relationships past that remind us of our flaws and of our joys. I appreciate the comments.

Thanks Parker. While the story is creative non-fiction, the emotions are not. Here is the line from the song that inspired the rendering of my story. It's from Gordon Lightfoot. In a castle dark or a fortress strong With chains upon my feet You know that ghost is me And I will never be set free As long as I'm a ghost that you can't see Lightfoot said in an interview he wrote this song during his divorce from his first wife. I found it to be very sad, but it also shows that the ghosts of affection continue to live, even after the relationship has ended. That means love never really leaves us completely or at least it does to me.

So, here's the story behind Castle Dark. When my ex and I broke up many years ago, I didn't know how to process it. We just fell out of love with each other, which happens. But, there was no way for me to understand what had happened. We loved each other and then as time passed, it died. I'd given up on ever really understanding it until this fall. There's a Gordon Lightfoot song called, "If you could read my mind..." and the words struck me. Listen to the song and the lyrics will give you an approximation of how I felt way back then. This story is my interpretation of the sentiment expressed in that song. Thanks for reading and commenting!!

The humor really comes through in this story. Aegis and bills interactions are hilarious. Great job and want to know what comes next!

I like the energy and the mystery of it. I also think Bill is a character I want to know better. Great start to a larger story.

Castle Dark Good Intentions - Fall 2018 Theme Monte got up from his desk and headed back to the break room for another cup of coffee. He shouldn’t have anymore this late in the afternoon, he checked his watch, no it was evening, but he could barely keep his eyes open. There were just two more pages to write, adding to the presentation, and he wanted to get those finished up. After pouring more of the burnt, oily java into his mug, he headed back to his desk. It was eerie as he walke

This is a story of good intentions and how they don't always work out happily.

Well, you’ve managed to excite most readers and annoy a few. I’d say that’s a job well done. 😘 I’m very proud of you.

I love it! Refreshing and excellent take on pioneering and the kinds of people it takes to fulfill roles in society. I was cheering Scott as he explained his take on this to the journalist. Awesome job!

What a compelling tale of care for another. Great job with handling Cyril and getting him the help he needed. I liked the character of Joel and would love to know more about him. He seems like the quiet type that runs very deep. He obviously has charisma as demonstrated by Cyril's reaction. Great job!!! Thanks for sharing with us.