Barb Dukeman
Bio
I have three books published on Amazon if you want to read more. I have shorter pieces (less than 600 words at https://barbdukeman.substack.com/. Subscribe today if you like what you read here or just say Hi.
Achievements (13)
Stories (198)
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Jump-start Your Writing Journey
My dear friend Nancy had dreams of being a writer after commanding a classroom forever. She figured it would finally give her a creative outlet instead of taking up knitting afghans or cultivating orchids. She hated grading papers and wanted to expand her opportunities. As we met at Panera, she shared that she wanted people to read her thoughts and allow her personal legacy to live on. “Grand idea,” I said. “I want the same.”
By Barb Dukemana day ago in Fiction
I'm Right Sorry
Dear Bossman, I know I ain’t got much good in my noggin, and what’s there is rattlin’ around. I got a coupla questions on your after-work program since I’m gonna bin dun workin’ here soon with baby #7 and I canna lift anythin’ heavier than a bag o’ flour or I’ll drop the little’un outta my vajayjay. We’s got a lot o’ sitiations righ now. my old man just got outta the hopsital on account of the shingles, and he done had plenty o’ problems with the IB. The dang nurses couldn’t get that needle in right. They done tore up his arms trying to find them there veins. Can your after-work porgram gonna help find nurses how do a IB rite?
By Barb Dukeman8 months ago in Journal
Hope for the Future
After the Greater World Depression of 2025-2029, it was obvious policies and laws had to change. The self-absorbed “leader” of the US with an insatiable thirst for power and rage revenge was overthrown by the military junta. The militia were following all the tenets of the US Constitution which they were sworn to uphold. When 47 spoke of ways he could become “president for life,” a bipartisan tribunal was formed to address the situation and wrest control back from the tyrant and his cronies. A Third Constitutional Convention was convened to manage the crisis.
By Barb Dukeman8 months ago in Futurism
The Truth of Who We Are. Runner-Up in Harmonic Verses Challenge.
Hundreds of years, we endured their fears; magistrates, citizens, royalty alike doomed us right from the start. They watched us through the lustrous years; they wouldn’t forgive and forget. Heretics and demons, our very lives they must forbid. Our special teas and willow trees cleared our minds and hearts. We tried to reason, they claimed it treason, and called it all the dark arts.
By Barb Dukeman10 months ago in Beat
I'm Not Adjusting Well. Top Story - March 2025.
Transformation is change. And not all change is as good as we wish for. William Wordsworth wrote, “The child is the father to the man,” implying that our childhood is what tends to mold and shape our future life, including how raise our own children. I felt this to be true with my own upbringing. I grew up with my live-in Italian grandmother who took care of me until I was eight or nine years old. I understood she looked out for me, cared for me, but it didn’t always show. It was an old army blanket - scratchy at times but still warm. It was only a few years later I learned my mother did not fully embrace her own mother for reasons she never divulged. She took care of Nonny because my mother did what a daughter ought to do through filial obligation.
By Barb Dukeman10 months ago in Psyche
Alas, Poor Yorick. Content Warning.
As an English teacher, she’d use the prop when she taught Hamlet at the end of October. Shakespeare is difficult to make exciting to younger generations raised on movies and social media. The most famous scene is when Hamlet realizes the skull he is holding and talking to is probably the king’s former jester, the one that used to make him laugh. Alas, poor Yorick. In class, the students were either mesmerized or repulsed by the skull she brought forth. Either way, she figured, they wouldn’t forget the storyline.
By Barb Dukeman10 months ago in Fiction
Window Decoration. Content Warning.
Lily walked confidently up the city sidewalk, resume in hand. She knew the CEO of the company, and it was an easy short-term job to work during the fall. Dressing the window with holiday décor to lure shoppers would be fun as an outlet for her creative energy.
By Barb Dukeman10 months ago in Fiction
