humanity

For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.

A Stormy Sea
“Excuse me… Miss…” I hear from beside me. It pulls me out of my trance. I step back and let the young man pass me. I glance back a the gold framed picture, its blues and greys very familiar to me. A Stormy Sea is what the title card called it, the ship on the horizon was almost sideways in the painting. I remember the night that inspired that painting.
By Jessica Morrison5 years ago in Humans
The Lost Treasure
Dark clouds loomed over the deep blue-green sea. Waves thrashed and churned under the bow as the Duchess cut through them. The wood creaked from the pressure but she kept herself together. The ivory sails danced in the wind, ropes slithering like snakes. The ship was a beauty, in all of her oil and velvet glory.
By Nicole K5 years ago in Humans
The Adventurer's Plight
It’s raining today, a gentle drizzle keeping everything damp. I poke at my fire with a stick, in part to keep in going but mainly just to play with it. “Weather’s not going to make you go out today,” I whisper gently to the flames.
By Jay Villin5 years ago in Humans
Glowing Night
The first thing that struck him was the night. The night was blacker than black. It was so dark that he couldn’t sleep for the first week that he was in the jungle. He wouldn’t have called it black in fact. When he looked up from his foxhole, it was an unimaginable vastness that engulfed him. He must’ve felt what those Soviets had felt when they landed on the moon in ’60. Or was it ’59?
By Patrick Clancy-Geske5 years ago in Humans
In the Distance
With white peaks, turbulent waters, and heavy fog – it's tricky to spot through squinted eyes. The USS Supreme, a 1940s WWII battleship, charges forward as eager sailors drape along its steely banisters. Blue and white streamers confirm reunion is possible. The ship on the horizon eventually reaches the mainland. Senior Chief Petty Officer Robert Harris bolts from the ship, muddying his starched uniform. He sees her, reaches to caress her cheek, even grabs her hand. Another gut punch. Another heartbreak. Again, no connection. Beatrice, now 92 and blind, stands at the shore, feels the ocean breeze on her face, and recalls memories of her beloved Bobby. “Someday,” aches her heart.
By Samia Afra5 years ago in Humans
the bigger picture
"Oh look a painting." I say to myself sarcastically knowing damn well that I am in an art museum and I am surrounded by paintings. Why am I even here? I don't even like art. Or museums. I just found that brochure about the opening of the museum yesterday morning and somehow decided to check it out. I guess I have nothing better to do anyway during my vacation week.
By Jolene Noack5 years ago in Humans
Gym Nut
“What is wrong with that guy? He’s going to break that machine if he keeps slamming those weights down like that.” “You’re right, and then it’s going to take them six months to fix it. That guy is a big jerk.”
By Cam Rascoe5 years ago in Humans
Creating the Past
The party is still raging on behind her. Aresa hated being around drunk people. The smell of alcohol on breath is gross, which is invariably mixed with dead cigarette smell and also just as usual was the smell of ripe skunk.
By Teresa Wegrzyn5 years ago in Humans
Fair Winds
"The tale is told in Ireland of the giant Finn McCool, and his constant battles with a rival in Hibernia, Benandonner. That island is supposed to be a clod of earth which Finn threw at Benandonner when he challenged him to a fight."
By Paul McDermott5 years ago in Humans
Hercules and Tempest
The phone on the side table was ringing, shrill and unrelenting as Reginald Eldergrove stepped through the door, returning from lunch with an old school friend.
By Emma Styles5 years ago in Humans
The Edge
One of the earliest memories I have is of standing on the edge of the ocean, watching it mutilate a ship, far off on the horizon. I could hear screaming - loud, clear - over the sound of the waves breaking on the shore. Then a hand, over my shoulders, grabbing and pulling me away from the violence of the waters.
By Jaskaran Chauhan5 years ago in Humans
First Submission
There was a country English gentleman stuck in the country and a country man stuck in the city both named Daniel trying to write a brief concise story for Vocal and earn income while freely living a life of abundance and happiness in an uncertain 21st century.
By Dan Aylesworth5 years ago in Humans