In the words of Pink Floyd: careful with that garden fork, Jim.

I’m glad to have inspired you to skip ahead! And this is a huge compliment. Observing my own writing over the years, I’ve noticed that my primary aim has always been zooming in close enough to reach the level of “genuinely felt.” But alongside that, “room to interpret” hasn’t always been my strong suit. I’m delighted to hear you say both are achieved here.

And I love “Bullet in the Brain,” but hadn’t thought about it in years! Thank you for reminding me. This is a treat, and a flattering association.

The return to elemental pieces is well crafted here. As with so much of your writing, I feel it. You leave room to interpret. My own experience can become part of what I’m reading.

There’s a story a person on CC turned me on to. You might like it. (I may have sent it to you before.) It’s about the last fading thoughts of a man with a bullet going through his brain. More literal than your style, but also taps into the feeling behind the action.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1995/09/25/bullet-in-the-brain

I’m so glad you liked it! And this is such high praise from you! I am submitting some of these stories to journals. For now I have to stick to those accepting reprints, since this blog counts as a “first run.” And then the waiting game. Your enthusiasm is flattering and invigorating, thank you.