There’s no tradition here, no mistletoe or icing the cake. Frost does however come right through my mattress, through three fleeces and two jackets.
Warmth comes in cups – lentil today. The volunteers have bloodshot eyes and worn chatter. They’re smiling, and fighting.
Fighting against more than just a cold wind.
*Thanks for reading, folks. Image courtesy of Flickr. My recent short stories include ‘In the Ribboned Fog‘ and ‘The Dead Don’t Moan’.
Matthew Richardson is a writer of short stories. His work has featured in Gold Dust magazine, Literally Stories, Close to the Bone, McStorytellers, Penny Shorts, Soft Cartel, Whatever Keeps the Lights On, Flashback Fiction, Cafelit, Best MicroFiction 2021, Writer’s Egg, Idle Ink, The Wild Word, and Shooter magazine. He is a doctoral student at the University of Dundee, a lucky husband, and a proud father. He blogs at www.matthewjrichardson.com and tweets at https://twitter.com/mjrichardso0
Matthew Richardson 
short, poignant and topical; well written, Matthew 🙂
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Thanks John. Bit of a challenge getting a narrative curve I to 50 words but all part of the fun!
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restrictions can be liberating, like the number of syllables in a haiku —
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Short and powerful Matthew. Packs a punch
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Thanks Peter. Little 50 word exercise!
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Worked well mate, cheers
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Sad reality
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Absolutely Brandon. Grim times.
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mattress on the ground
with the world a living room
blind intersection
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And a bolt-on haiku to boot! Bravo!
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Thank you, Matthew. A compliment from you is worth a lot!
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Somehow I missed this one, Matthew. A little gem. Wishing you a joyous holiday season with family.
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Great write My Friend. Short and to the point.
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Thanks Goff.
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Pleasure My Friend. Have a great Easter.
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