18 Comments
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Sandy Stuart Shaller's avatar

Will, "Market Day," is a wonderful piece of writing, and a painful one. I'm at an age where each day is a gift. I'm still strong, agile, I can run (much to everyone's surprise) I walk 8 miles a day, I write, I read, I tutor and I read to children as a monthly event at our Barnes ande Noble. But, I'm also 78 years old. Time is against me.

Reading, "Market Day," is a sad, but very lyrical and image laden, pean to the final pages of a life. The protagonist is filled with memories of the past and his own place in it as a man, as a child, as a toddler. I love some ofthe exotic images you conjure up at different point, like, "A vampiric widow offers narrow flasks of cloudy liquid, each stoppered with swollen knuckle corks. The ending is heart-breaking; one can hope that life will be kind and give us all an easy way out when the time comes.

Will Boucher's avatar

Sandy, thank you so much for sharing how the story resonated with you. Indeed, each day is a gift—there’s been a lot of “healthscares” in my family this year and this one story just kind of rolled out from that anxiety. Cheers my friend

Sandy Stuart Shaller's avatar

And right back at you. We just got a new granddaughter, so I'm going to do my best to hang around for awhile.

Will Boucher's avatar

Congrats Sandy! That’s the best type of motivation

Erichka's avatar

This was so vivid. Really great work.

Will Boucher's avatar

Thanks so much!

Logan Heron's avatar

Fucking top tier use of language in this one, Will!

Will Boucher's avatar

thanks buddy!

troy adkins's avatar

oof, i was thoroughly tickled until that ending. darkly beautiful, will, i'll remember this one

Will Boucher's avatar

Thanks so much Troy :) stay tickled

Caroline Osella   (they/them)'s avatar

Good God man, your range is extraordinary.

Will Boucher's avatar

I like to stretch myself, wake up the body and mind

Kian Hoban's avatar

Beautiful work. I’ll be subscribing.

Will Boucher's avatar

thanks so much Kian!

MA Knight's avatar

Nice

EJ Trask's avatar

this is wonderful Will!! I love it so much. Yesterself, shoulder crumbs, salted wool. i’m captivated!

Will Boucher's avatar

Thanks EJ!! Salted wool is the best kind of wool