humanity

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

The Mundane Commuter
The train carriage jolted, a brief sound of metal scraping against metal, and the Commuter’s pen skated across the page of their book. A blue streak now ran through the shoulder of a fellow passenger, spitting the monocoloured illustration of the surrounding scene; fellow commuters awaiting their intended platforms.
By Brooke5 years ago in Humans
So near and yet so far... from $20,000
You’d be surprised how many people let $20,000 slip right through their hands on that otherwise uneventful morning. One after another they picked it up, decided they didn’t want it, then threw it down again, some of them contemptuously.
By Jon McKnight5 years ago in Humans
A Random Person
I find the fork somewhat useless. The spoon is the instrument of preference. Spoons collect it all in one perfect scoop. Simple, efficient.
By Holli Harms5 years ago in Humans
The Inspiration
Another plum of dust and cobwebs assaulted his face, as he pulled ever more boxes from the attic crawlspace. Dust filling his lungs, dragging out a choking cough.
By Logan Godin5 years ago in Humans
Little Black Book
I scaled a fence to fetch the peacock’s feather. Amid the dappled light of the jacaranda, I rolled the feather between my fingers. Satisfied, I left the cover of the purple blooms, hopped the fence, passed through an arch, and entered the palace courtyard. A row of potted palms mimicked the colonnade of the palace: a façade that both screened and revealed the space within. Snaking through the columns, I happened upon a black cat lying in the cool. I tickled its tummy with the feather.
By Adrian Wan5 years ago in Humans
Dear Traveler
My cellphone rang, muffled inside of my pocket. I likely had 10 missed calls by now. I had missed my bus and was walking to the nearest block to try and catch another. The mud and gravel flowed seamlessly together combining a murky downstream as it passed by my feet. I began to walk quicker down the road, eager to make it on time. Each leap forward leaving no footsteps behind. None other than me splashing the already drenched grass on my way. The puddles exploded as I rushed through them arranging for the grass to receive much more water than it needed. Not as bad as I needed to catch this bus, I thought to myself. I’d miss my daughter’s dance recital and lord knows this next disappointment would not be the only shortcoming of mine she’d have to endure this week. My eyes fixed on the ground, trying to remain orderly as I watched my step. I became sidetracked by my thoughts, and then, by a small black book. I slowed to fix my gaze upon it as it seemed strangely out of place. It was propped up against the lamp post, barely catching a break from the rain. I should grab it, I thought to myself, perhaps place it somewhere dry for it’s owner to collect at a later time. That would be the right thing to do. I stopped to grab it and held it downwards, the leather cover shed the excess moisture it had been collecting as I searched for somewhere dry. In the open street there was very little that could remain completely untarnished by the rain. At this point, I could only see the bus shelter that I had eagerly been chasing just up ahead. I made my way towards it as I clenched the cover of the black notebook. Once inside, my inappropriate curiosity peaked just in time for me to read it’s first page before spotting the bus in the distance.
By Sophie Savannah5 years ago in Humans
The Old Man
“Hurry up. Hurry up. Hurry up.” I repeated those words to myself numerous times as I raced down the street. The towering skyscrapers of New York loomed over me, only allowing thin streams of yellow sunlight to reach the crowded streets. I was late to my job as a personal assistant for the manager of a large computer company. If I was tardy again this week, I would be fired.
By Kathryne Fairbrother5 years ago in Humans
Little Black Book
Every day, Jiaming writes with precision. Columns of hanzi characters create a tapestry on the ivory paper. It is this part of the day, when he records his thoughts and memories, that he treasures most.
By TR Minamoto5 years ago in Humans
A Reflection of Kindness
Kindness was a philosophy that I had always eschewed, but I had never understood what kindness was until yesterday. The Wednesday started out like any other. I headed downtown from wherever I had passed out the night before. The wind on my face always helped bring some clarity to the hungover fog that nested in my head. When I’d reach my spot, I’d plop my rump down, my hat beside it and start the ritual of panhandling.
By J.M. Ward5 years ago in Humans
What's Your Story?
Elijah sits on the park bench with a heavy sigh as he wipes his forehead with the sleeve of his faded blue sweatshirt. He unscrews the cap of his half empty water bottle and quickly gulps the last of it. His breathing is still a little heavy after the three-mile run, but not nearly as wheezy as it was a few weeks ago.
By Jack Johnston5 years ago in Humans
A Soft Edge.
I put down the little black book and placed it on the desk next to the four piles of cash. Neat piles. Ten times ten times fifty times four. It’s important for me to stay organized. Have I told you already ? I forget things. To alter the system, to use three or five piles, I would need to incessantly recount it. Quietly flustering through sheaves of Ulysses S. Grant’s judiciary stare, attempting to avoid eye contact. Lost in my own wallet.
By Robertson Holt5 years ago in Humans
Book of Destiny
The Quill & Brew was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Chong. What started out years ago as an office supply warehouse had morphed into an industrial themed stationery store with large glass windows, complete with a coffee shop and a loft-style apartment for the Chong's. It was a haven for aspiring writers, college students and the occasional board game enthusiasts. In fact, it was my favorite place to spend my free time when I was not working behind the counter myself.
By Luis Guasch5 years ago in Humans