Author: Holly Leary
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One Beep, Good
A 100-word suspense challenge, a deadly boarding line, and the difficulty of ending on ambiguity. Plus a detour into Japanese horror fiction and the strange books currently haunting my dreams.
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On Oranges and Ownership
What does it really mean to own a piece of Earth? Inspired by Black Elk Speaks, this reflective essay follows a walk, an orange, and a growing unease with the idea of land ownership. From ancient property systems to modern survey lines, it asks whether land can ever truly belong to us when water, roots,…
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Opportunistic, Omnivorous Squirrel
NYC Midnight 100 Word Challenge, 2026. Round One. Genre: Comedy, Action: Visiting, Word: Understand Place: 12th Title: Opportunistic, Omnivorous Squirrel My porch chairs, drenched in afternoon sunlight. Tiny visitor. But can I just say something? That cushioned chair is made for humans, you know? And here you are, resting on hind legs. Fuzzy white belly.…
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No Beber: A Florida Story
The narrative “No Beber: A Florida Story” humorously depicts a dog walk in Florida, contrasting it with a wintry Boston life. It features anthropomorphic lizards engaged in quirky activities, including arm-wrestling and smoking cockroach cigarettes, while highlighting the theme of reclaimed water with the phrase “No Beber.” The author’s struggle with writing comedy is acknowledged.
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Afterglow
NASA’s report details the 2033 disappearance of astronaut Mia Emerson during a spacewalk, where she encountered a mysterious substance. After reappearing, she described a euphoric experience that hinted at a profound truth about existence. Though crewmates found no signs of distress, the recommendation for her institutionalization raised concerns about the treatment of non-conforming experiences.
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The Tick
The Tick Long walk, long grass. It’s called grounding now, you know? You stick your feet onto the Earth And it’s supposed to balance your entire being. But today, Today I picked up a tiny taker. Eight legs and not a spider. A fraud. Phony footsteps onto my arm. I didn’t know he was there…
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Poetry Unpacked: On Addiction
COLLAPSING GEOMETRIES (Click link for poem) “Sleepmonger, deathmonger, with capsules in my palms each night, eight at a time from sweet pharmaceutical bottles.” — Anne Sexton, “The Addict” Poetry Unpacked: On Addiction Anne Sexton’s phrasing – Sleepmonger – Deathmonger: her words feel like blood on my tongue. There is no romance in them, and no metaphor…
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Collapsing Geometries
The poem “Collapsing Geometries” explores the destructive impact of significant male figures in the speaker’s life. It depicts a struggle with intense emotions, likening relationships to gravitational forces that distort reality and devour hope, ultimately leading to a sense of fragmentation and loss of self within chaotic dynamics.
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On Stars and People and People as Stars
GRAVITAS OF GREATNESS (click for poem link) “The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of star stuff.” ― Carl Sagan, Cosmos Poetry Unpacked: On Stars and People and People as Stars…
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Gravitas of Greatness
The poem reflects on the themes of existence, loss, and the inherent greatness within. It explores the journey of a celestial being, characterized by gravitas, as it navigates the cosmos, ultimately confronting its demise. Amidst the awe of its brilliance and the sorrow of loss, it questions the nature of grief and legacy.
A Place to Leave Things 