Posts tagged "rural life"
The Ill Well

The Ill Well

The cow’s been sick for three days, like nothing I have ever seen before. Standing in the yard, heaving. A violent rhythm. Like when you’re so sick your body fights to empty the stomach, only her chest is covered in froth, new and virgin-white, not bile. And her mouth hangs open, mucus from her nose...
Main Street Revisited (Minnesota, 1989)

Main Street Revisited (Minnesota, 1989)

Walleye and sweet corn. Five Star and Pepsi on my father’s breath. That summer Lizzie and I waited tables at the breakfast and chicken joint while Emily, the preacher’s kid, worked the cafe down the street. Pastor Dan wasn’t out of the closet yet.  We walked booth to booth with hot coffee for the retired...