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    Pairings
    Pairings
    Pairings
    Ebook113 pages1 hour

    Pairings

    By Linda Imbler

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Linda Imbler's second ebook "Pairings," is a collection of wonderful short fiction stories loosely coupled with excellent poetry selections which help intensify the reading experience. The topics address myriad subjects and styles ranging from selective mutism to speculative short fiction to revealing new historical facts. These are vital writings rooted in the values of a valiant civilization.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSoma Publishing
    Release dateNov 3, 2018
    Pairings

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      Book preview

      Pairings - Linda Imbler

      [email protected]

      About This Book:

      Linda Imbler's second e-book, Pairings, can best be described as a collection of wonderful short fiction stories loosely coupled with some excellent poetry. Within these short fiction pieces there are cautionary tales as well as inspirational tales. The topics address myriad subjects and styles ranging from selective mutism to speculative short fiction to new historical facts. These are vital stories rooted in the values of a valiant civilization.

      The poems associated with each story have some connection, although they were not initially written to be related or even written within the same year. But, the pairings work beautifully.

      Thanks for your purchase. Please enjoy Pairings.

      Thank you so much to Editor Mark Antony Rossi of Soma Publishing for allowing me another opportunity to share my work through this up-and-coming medium of e-books.

      Table of Contents

      1a. Isaac’s Robot

      1b. Mute

      2a. Frantic Call

      2b. Girl

      3a. Relic

      3b. Understood

      4a. The Bargain

      4b. Bitter Cold Can Burn

      5a. Tarot

      5b. Madame Lenormand

      6a. Number Eight

      6b. The Devil’s Picnic

      7a. Many Alone

      7b. The Lonely

      8a. The Jellybean Man

      8b. History

      9a. Queen of Cups

      9b. Becoming Mad

      10a. Dead of Night

      10b. What’s Not To Believe

      11a. Tattoo

      11b. Flags

      12a. Public Executions

      12b. Tyrant Fallen

      13a. The Old Shepherd

      13b. Grab the Sun

      14a. Room of Voices

      14b. A Proper Life

      15a. Fool Across the Water

      15b. The Strong’s Strength

      16a. Animal Plots and Schemes

      16b. Animals

      17a. Digging the Day

      17b. Weather the Night

      18a. Zoology

      18b. Zomday

      19a. Robots in Love

      19b. One

      20a. My Song For Small Things

      20b. Heartstrings

      21a. Just Don’t

      21b. In the Dark

      22a. The Brown Man

      22b. Apology to the Bison

      23a. Porch Waving

      23b. Tower of Bones

      24. Commentary on Old Shepherd

      25. Acknowledgments

      26. About the Author

      27. About the Publisher

      Isaac's Robot

      Third grader Isaac was different; smaller, quieter. He smiled a lot, but he never spoke. He listened carefully to his teacher, Mrs. Kendrick, and did his best, but he learned slowly and he read even more slowly. Choosing books from the library was a challenge and book reports in front of the class were all but impossible.

      He watched other kids play at recess, but he never joined, even when asked. No one made fun of Isaac. They would just smile at him and he would always smile back.

      On one particular library visit, a picture on the front of a book caught his eye. He chose this book, although he could not really read it. It was a book about how to build a robot. Isaac wanted to build a friend. He worked on his robot after school every day and on the weekends. Isaac made some progress, but not much. It takes a long time for only one person to build a robot, especially when they can’t read the instructions. But he never gave up and he kept at it. When it was time for the next round of book reports, Isaac raised his hand to let Mrs. Kendrick know he was ready. She got tears in her eyes as he stood up with the book, pointed to the cover, and smiled. The class smiled back and, wow, did they clap!

      In February, Isaac was not at school one day, nor the next day, nor the day after that. That night, the teacher called Isaac's mother. Isaac was in the hospital and the prognosis was not good. Mrs. Kendrick shared the news with the kids. They didn't say a word. However, at recess, she noticed the kids in a tight huddle.

      Saturday morning, the doorbell rang at Isaac’s house. His mother was at the hospital, but his dad was home. After talking to the kids, Isaac’s dad took them to the garage. They were there all day that Saturday and again on Sunday, and the next weekend and the next. After six weeks, they had built Isaac a robot.

      Mrs. Kendrick took the robot to the hospital to show it to Isaac. He was very weak, but he managed to smile. His mother asked her to thank the kids.

      The next morning Isaac's mother came to the class with the robot. Isaac had wanted to share his new friend with the class because they were the best kids in the whole world. That's the last thing he told his mom.

      The robot sits in Isaac's seat at his desk. It reminds the kids that they once had a classmate, a little boy who never spoke but always smiled. Just like Isaac’s robot.

      Mute

      What leaves a child

      not wishing to speak?

      A physical ailment?

      Perhaps he's just meek?

      To accept such a fate

      for one so young

      is to condemn him to loneliness,

      as he must live among

      others who ask

      and others who tell

      and he must respond

      to live his life well.

      To learn to talk with others

      opens doors now closed.

      And to request what's needed

      helps that child grow.

      There's much in the world

      that must be explained.

      And to live in isolation

      means he must remain

      shut away from potential

      answers and friends,

      staying limited

      in what he comprehends.

      Do not seek to shame him

      or force an interplay.

      He should express himself

      in his own time and way.

      Do not seek to change him,

      creating dismay.

      Just

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