“Looking Glass” by Aleksandr Peterson
Something Coming Soon
by Bud Smith
When he died, we hired three neighborhood girls to push his classic cars over the backyard cliff; she used the space to sit and reflect.
When she died they set her painting on fire in the street, had a hazmat team haul away her unused art supplies; her studio became a Karate Dojo.
As I crossed the portico door, I waved a hand—my material life vanished to you; my other life began.
Today she lobbed a grenade into the empty space; nothing happened.
Yesterday this place was filled to the ceiling, now all I notice is a crater, where the floor used to be.
When they were born, the space was still being used as a roller skate rink; this was before the valedictorian couldn’t stop herself, broke the glass, went tumbling over the cliff.
As I typed this, a squad of bulldozers came and leveled the place; but still, we karate chop, and paint and roller skate: reflections inside reflections.
Yesterday, a sign made of femurs went up, spines as posts. Sign said: SOMETHING COMING SOON.
Bet it is. We’re all anxious to see what.
Bud Smith is a graduate of Central Regional High School. He lives in NYC and works heavy construction in NJ. Latest book is the novel F-250. www.budsmithwrites.com.

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