Month: January 2026

Short Story in Audio: The First Line

An amazing thing has happened. The First Line has produced an audio version of my short story, “Efficiency Leads to Fulfillment.” It first appeared in their print magazine in 2020, then was later reprinted in Workers Write.

For once, words fail me. I can’t describe the feeling of hearing other people bring my work to life. I’m enormously pleased with how it turned out.

Also, if you’re considering subscribing and/or submitting work to any literary magazines, The First Line is a good choice. They do blind reads, so all stories are chosen on merit rather than personal connections. They charge no submission fee, and they pay at least a little. Much higher standards than some bigger name publications. I always look forward to a new issue.

Anyway, give my story a listen. It’s about ten minutes long.

Efficiency Leads to Fulfillment

**

Poem: Epiphanies While Holding Babies

Photo by Kristina Paukshtite on Pexels.com

Mothers have been in the news recently, putting themselves on the line to protect others. I wrote this poem many years ago, and it still feels relevant.

Epiphanies while Holding Babies

1.
I once heard mothers declare
without a second thought
they would give their lives
to save their children.
Romantic hyperbole
it seemed, until,
stroking my infant’s hair
I recognized what passes as
small talk 
among mothers:
“They grow up so quickly.”
“Look at all those teeth.”
“I’d give my life to save my child.”
Chit-chat about the obvious.

2.
Cradled in a rocking chair,
newborn son in my arms,
radio reporting a war,
I have a thought new to me,
old to mothers of sons.
All of the young men killing and dying
are every one of them
someone’s baby boy.
Achieving world peace is not 
a dreamy ideal,
but immediate necessity – 
as much a part of my to-do list
as washing the diapers
and paying the bills.

~~